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Music Therapy for Elders

Article
Lifestyle

Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to achieve specific goals with the guidance of a music therapist. Music therapy has been shown to help people enhance their memory and improve their communication. It is particularly beneficial for seniors, as it helps them to relieve stress, depression, and chronic pain. It helps the seniors to improve their memory and cognitive skills. It also evokes special memories spent with their family members. Patients who suffer from dementia often find music to be very soothing, helping to reduce agitation and aggravation. The psychological effects and benefits of music can be powerful and wide-ranging. 

Physical Health Benefits of Music Therapy
The right music can be an encouraging tool to help you be more physically active. More movement, whether that’s walking, dancing, or stretching along with music, can improve the following:
  • Heart and cardiovascular health
  • Muscle strength
  • Bone density
  • Balance and coordination
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduced heart rate
  • Improved breathing
  • Muscle relaxation

Mental Health Benefits of Music Therapy
The same tools that promote physical health through music therapy can also improve mental health by reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Music therapy’s aim is to allow people to address issues and express themselves in a way that they normally can’t with words alone.
Depression and dementia are common diseases among older adults. Music therapy’s approach to bettering the quality of life for older adults makes it a viable tool for treating depression. For older adults, isolation greatly impacts their mental health. Group music therapy can create means of communication with others that they wouldn’t normally have access to. Even just listening to music regularly can improve communication abilities for older adults who have difficulties with verbal communication


Source:
https://www.verywellmind.com/benefits-of-music-therapy-89829#:~:text=Music%20therapy%20is%20a%20therapeutic,Singing
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/music-therapy-for-older-adults
 

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