Music is powerful. It not only can improve our mood, but also benefit our mental and physical health.
This is especially true for seniors. In fact, senior living communities often use music in their activities and programming to help with residents’ overall wellness and well-being. Let’s explore the many ways that music can benefit seniors.
Benefits of Music for Seniors: A Brief History
The benefits of listening to music as an approach to healing has a long and fascinating background. Dating back as far as the late 1700s, physicians and psychiatrists began to note the benefits of listening to music as a means of treating medical diseases. By the 1970s, music therapy for seniors began to be implemented in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers and has since gained in popularity for the elderly, especially those experiencing memory loss.
These days, music therapy is seen in a variety of environments and settings, some of which include:
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Nursing homes
- Senior centers
- Outpatient clinics
- Mental health centers
- Residences for people with developmental disabilities
The Psychological and Emotional Benefits of Music for Seniors
Incorporating music therapy for seniors in assisted living and memory care has been shown to have a wide variety of advantages, most notably through enhancing the psychological and emotional well-being of the elderly.
The benefits of music therapy for seniors in mental health is widely acknowledged, as music is shown to release endorphins and dopamine, which improves overall mood. Certain types of music can lower cortisol levels and reduce common symptoms of:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Isolation
It’s even been discovered that the benefits of music can improve verbal communication skills in older adults. Similarly, music for seniors can even help those suffering from trauma by reducing feelings of anxiety and cultivating a relaxed environment.
According to a research study published through the National Library of Medicine, music therapy for seniors yielded proven results in elderly participants by an increase in social interaction, enhanced creativity, and even an improvement in some physical dimensions of quality of life. What’s even better is that music therapy for seniors is a safe and non-pharmacological approach to improving the health and well-being of seniors, shown to lessen chronic conditions like depression.
Benefits of Music on the Brain: Enhancing Cognitive Function
Music therapy for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia has been shown to improve memory function and even recall. One study found that the benefits of music therapy can improve autobiographical recall, verbal fluency, and even cognition.
It also found that some particular types of music can cause feelings and memories to be triggered as well as improve episodic memory. This can result in seniors living with memory loss to have an enhanced connection with their loved ones, recalling memories from their lives in greater detail—even if the music being played is unrelated to that specific event.
It's been shown that the repetitive and rhythmic elements of music therapy can help regulate brain function; singing and playing an instrument can actually activate neural networks directly related to memory and language processing.
When it comes to music therapy for seniors with dementia, many might ask: What is the best music to play? There are varying ideas, some of which include:
- Familiar music from childhood, youth, or other positive experiences
- Classical music, which can be relaxing, especially before bed
- Songs with personal meaning like wedding songs or music from a favorite band
Curating music for seniors can be challenging for some, so check out some advice from Sunrise Senior Living on creating that perfect playlist for your loved one so they can reap the benefits!
Music for Seniors: Physical Benefits
Music therapy for seniors can encourage listeners to engage in physical activities such as dancing or gentle exercises. These movements, however slight, assist in enhancing coordination, motor skills, and overall physical health. Rhythmic cueing even has a positive effect on gait disorders, improving mobility, speed, and stride length.
Music for seniors is evidenced in some movement activities, some of which consist of:
- Dance therapy
- Seated marching
- Playing instruments
- Cardio drumming
Benefits of Music Therapy for Seniors in Pain Management
The benefits of music even stretch to pain management, often reducing the perception of pain by diverting attention and inducing relaxation. This is made possible because music can release endorphins and as a result, alter emotional engagement. Further pain management benefits from music also include:
- Improving chronic pain management outcomes such as pain interference
- Enhancing pain-related self-efficacy
- Decreasing pain intensity
Additionally, music for seniors has been shown to reduce pain in those with cancer, in palliative or hospice care, and even in burn victims.
The Social and Communicative Benefits of Music Therapy
Sunrise has long incorporated music therapy as part of its core programmatic and activity offerings, particularly for its socialization and communication advantages.
The benefits of music for seniors as it relates to social interaction include:
- Group activities: Whether it’s singing circles, music appreciation groups, or other group music activities, one of the major benefits of music therapy for seniors is how it can foster closer social connections.
- Reducing isolation: Some residents can experience feelings of loneliness and isolation; thankfully, music can reduce these negative feelings, providing opportunities for communication that cultivate a sense of community and belonging.
- Building connections: Music activities for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia have also been shown to encourage people to build connections and friendships with others, which ultimately helps to increase happiness and well-being.
Furthermore, music therapy for seniors also enhances communication by:
- Improving non-verbal communication, which is especially important for residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s
- Allowing seniors to express emotions and thoughts they may struggle to convey through words
Music therapists may also incorporate techniques and activities to enhance communication, some of which could include:
- Music improvisation, which can help residents feel in control while communicating through self-expression
- Songwriting, which assists people in communication skills through creative empowerment and improved emotional regulation
- Guided singing, which is a technique in music therapy for seniors where familiar songs are sung and residents are asked to fill in specific words
Benefits of Music for Seniors at Sunrise Senior Living
Sunrise believes there is a strong connection between music and memory, which is why music programming is used for entertaining as well as mind stimulation. Whether this consists of residents creating and composing their own music with instruments or everyday objects or dancing to special performances, music therapy is a vital part of Sunrise’s approach through our Live With Purpose programming.
Learn more about our Live With Melody program by watching this video.
Music Therapy for Seniors with Dementia: Advantages
There are many benefits of music therapy for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, including:
- Enhanced verbal and nonverbal communication skills
- Lessened agitation, a reduction in hallucinations and restlessness, and improved behavioral issues
- Enhanced caregiver/resident relationships
- An encouragement of physical activity to improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, as well as balance and control
- Stress reduction, especially during personal care like washing and dressing
Caregivers should explore more opportunities on how to integrate music into the caregiving process, whether at home or in a vibrant senior living community like Sunrise.
Learn more about how Sunrise uses music in our communities by finding a community near you and reaching out today.