How Music Can Benefit the Elderly
by Chris Sloan, ALM – Operations Specialist, AZ
Music is an important part of our everyday lives; it is more than just chords or lyrics. Music resembles your feelings and can create a sense of calm. To most, the playlist you choose can mimic your current feelings or help you resolve stress. You can relate to the music. This is true for the elderly as well.
Music offers a “workout” for the brain. Research has shown that music can reduce stress, blood pressure, and pain. It has been shown to improve sleep, enhance mood, offers mental alertness, and help with memory issues. It has been shown that music offers memory stimulation. You may not recall your high school algebra class to a tee, but music has been known to arouse a trigger memory to help you recall the tempo or lyrics of your favorite song from that same time. Why is this? Because music can offer feelings.
Music can improve the quality of life for our elderly. It allows us to share our feelings through music. Our older loved ones may not be able to go out to a club and hit the dance floor like they once had, but music will allow them to maintain and create relationships or express their feelings. This is also true for even non-verbal seniors.
It is easier than you think to bring music to our elderly
You can include music in their daily exercise routine. Aiding balance, mobility, and coordination.
Playing music during mealtimes helps create a pleasant dining experience. The better the experience, the more apt the senior will enjoy and eat their entire meal. Promoting better nutrition.
You can create playlists to include music from their generation and culture. Promoting self-esteem, pride, and a connection for all.
Introduce your elderly loved ones to today’s technology. There is vast access to any genre of music on- line. This is also a great way to help the elderly stay connected to the younger population and share their feelings.
You can take your loved ones to a school concert. This is also a great opportunity to include multiple generations, bridging the gap.
A sing-along is fun for all! This can help create a sense of community and belonging.
Music is a timeless and ageless gift that can significantly enhance the lives of the elderly. By capitalizing on the plethora of benefits that music offers, this will allow your loved ones to flourish and improve their quality of life. A win-win for the elderly and those that care for them. So, let the melodies play on and watch as the benefits take effect.