March is Music Therapy Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the many benefits of music therapy for people of all ages and abilities, including older adults. Given the deep connection that most of us have with music, it should be no surprise that researchers worldwide continue to investigate music's therapeutic benefits. Music can unlock emotions and memories, help ease hospital stays, improve exercise and walking routines and contribute to our overall well-being.
Music can help with memory
For many older adults, music serves as a nostalgic time machine, transporting them back to cherished moments of their youth. Music has a unique ability to evoke memories, trigger emotions, and stimulate cognitive function. Studies have shown that engaging with familiar tunes can significantly improve seniors' memory recall and cognitive skills. Whether it's a favourite song from their youth or a melody tied to a significant life event, music becomes a vessel for reminiscence and a bridge to the past.
For those with dementia, music allows them to feel calmer, which indirectly helps reduce caregivers' stress levels. Also, group music therapy sessions led by a trained music therapist helped reduce caregivers’ anxiety by allowing them to express and share their feelings.
Music can help ease your hospital stay
If you’re undergoing surgery or other hospital treatments, you’re probably not thinking of boogying to the beat. However, research shows that music therapy can reduce anxiety and pain and help ease depression and fatigue.
Music can help your emotional well-being
The emotional impact of music should not be underestimated. It can uplift spirits, reduce anxiety, and provide comfort. For those who may face challenges such as loneliness, depression, or cognitive decline, music therapy can serve as a non-invasive and enjoyable intervention. A simple melody can spark joy, a rhythmic beat can invigorate the soul, and a soothing tune can offer solace. Music therapy provides a holistic approach to emotional well-being for seniors, tapping into the healing potential of sound.
Music can improve exercise routines and walking speed
Beyond its emotional and cognitive benefits, music also contributes to physical well-being. Engaging in rhythmic activities, such as dancing or tapping to the beat, enhances coordination, flexibility, and overall physical fitness. For older adults, incorporating music into exercise routines makes the process more enjoyable and promotes a holistic approach to health, addressing both the mind and body.
When it comes to walking speed and “gait” (the pattern and manner of walking), they are important indicators for gauging your overall health. Research shows that walking to a steady beat or music helps improve walking speed, stride length, walk rhythm and symmetry. Whether you realize it or not, you may be training yourself for a longer, healthier, and more active lifestyle by listening to music while you walk.
Music therapy is a versatile and joyful tool for enhancing our overall quality of life, from stimulating memories and emotions to improving a hospital stay, promoting physical well-being and helping with walking speed. So, turn up the volume, share a melody, and let the healing power of music resonate throughout the lives of our older loved ones.
