For seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, music is more than just a fun thing to listen to. Music evokes powerful emotions and reactions, so it can be an excellent way of interacting with a senior who has Alzheimer’s disease. Here are a few simple ways to use music in Alzheimer’s care.
1. Promote Physical Activity
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease might have some mental difficulties, but that’s no reason to let their physical health decrease. Playing music may encourage your loved one to dance either with a partner or alone, which can be a great form of cardio exercise.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
2. Maintain a Calm Environment
Seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease frequently experience feelings of anger, anxiety, and sadness. Music can be a great way to lift your loved one’s mood and soothe negative feelings. Try to pick music that has a medium to slow pace, cheerful lyrics, and an upbeat tune. This form of music therapy may help your loved one stay in a good mood even during tense situations.
3. Bring Back Old Memories
Alzheimer’s caregivers often find that random triggers can help seniors recall old memories. Playing a memorable song may help your loved one recall his or her wedding day, time spent with a child, or other important memories. To evoke memories with music, speak to your loved one’s family members and friends to find out more about songs that were important to him or her. Play the song at a low volume and just let your loved one listen to it without asking if he or she remembers anything. You may find that your loved one ends up recalling things unprompted.
4. Enhance Communication
Even after language abilities begin to decrease, music can be a great way to communicate. For example, your loved one may not react to being told that it’s his or her birthday, but hearing someone sing “Happy Birthday” may get your parent excited and happy. Playing music that matches the emotions you wish to convey to your loved one can be a valuable form of interaction.
Listening to music is just one of the many ways older adults can boost their overall health. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional elderly home care. Tucson, Arizona, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
5. Provide a Distraction
If your loved one is musically inclined, playing an instrument may be an excellent pastime. Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease tend to get stressed and upset quite regularly, and one of the most effective ways of managing these emotions is creating a distraction with a new and exciting task. Encourage your loved one to play the guitar, piano, or another instrument to take his or her mind off unpleasant thoughts. Even a senior who doesn’t know how to play an instrument may enjoy tapping a drum, shaking a tambourine, or clapping along.
If your elderly loved one is living with Alzheimer’s and needs help managing the symptoms, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care. Tucson seniors can rely on our revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM), an activities-based program that promotes cognitive health and delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. CTM also encourages seniors to engage with others in an enjoyable way and helps them build new routines to look forward to. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call Home Care Assistance at (520) 276-6555 today.