4 Reasons Music Therapy Matters for Seniors
Celebrating World Music Therapy Week
World Music Therapy Week is celebrated from April 10-15, and its purpose is simple: celebrating the positive impacts of music therapy. According to the American Music Therapy Association, the concept of music being used as a form of treatment dates back at least to the writings of Aristotle and Plato.
Music therapy refers to the clinical and evidence-based practice of using music as a means to address a variety of goals including stress management, pain relief, strengthening memory, and more! This World Music Therapy Week, we’re raising awareness about some of the benefits music therapy holds for senior adults.
1. Music therapy can help to alleviate stress. Do you ever feel that sense of calm when listening to nature sounds set to soft jazz? According to a 2020 analysis on the subject, music can help to reduce levels of stress and anxiety. Music therapy can even help to regulate blood pressure and heart rate as they relate to symptoms of stress or anxiety.
2. Music therapy can help to combat depression. Another study indicates that music therapy can be used to help treat depression. The study shows that combining music therapy with treatment as usual can be more effective in combatting depression than just treatment as usual on its own.
3. Music therapy helps us to express our feelings. Music therapy can be used to create a safe environment in which people can express their feelings. This can lead to better communication amongst colleagues, friends, and family, as well as to improve one’s emotional awareness.
4. Music therapy can help people living with dementia. For seniors living with dementia, listening to music is powerful. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Miami School of Medicine concluded that music therapy increases the levels of melatonin, serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and prolactin in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Those are brain chemicals responsible for decreased agitation and stress, and good feelings. Music is often a connection point for people, bringing back thoughts and feelings of times gone by, both happy and sad. According to research, the progression of dementia doesn’t impact the brain’s natural reaction to music, making it a highly impactful throughline both emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Music therapy can be effective for people of all ages, and in a variety of ways spanning the emotional, mental, and physical things we all deal with. There are also several different types of music therapy, some in which the participant has an active role, and some that are a bit more passive. Some music therapy involves listening to music, other forms might include participating in music or even dancing, but there is no prerequisite for musical skill. Working with a trained music therapist, a patient can participate, regardless of any formal music knowledge or training.
As we celebrate the impact of music therapy throughout World Music Therapy Week, try to think of some ways you might be able to incorporate music throughout your day. Talk to your healthcare provider about music therapy opportunities that might benefit you!
