For many seniors, music is a powerful force that can have a positive effect when nothing else seems to help – most notably around the holidays. Seniors that struggle with loneliness and depression during the holiday season can benefit from listening to music, as it gives them an outlet for creativity, socialization, and mental stimulation. If a special senior in your life could use some holiday cheer, what follows are three ways music can provide them with therapeutic relief during an otherwise difficult time of year.
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is the use of music to address an individual’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. There are two main types of music therapy: active and receptive. Active music therapy involves physical stimulation through playing simple instruments, dancing, or singing that can be beneficial for one’s physical health.
Conversely, receptive music therapy refers to a period for mindful listening to music and usually involves specially curated recorded or live music. With this form of therapy, the song choices often reflect the listener’s culture, age, and personal experiences.
Music therapists work in settings that include hospitals, senior centers, mental health centers, nursing homes, hospice programs, and schools.
Physical Health Benefits of Holiday Music
The right music can be an inspirational tool that helps seniors stay physically active. More physical movement accompanied by music – whether it’s dancing, singing, or walking – can improve the following:
- Balance and coordination
- Flexibility
- Muscle strength
- Bone density
- Heart and cardiovascular health
Focusing an older adult’s attention on music can help them ease pain, reduce stress, and breathe rhythmically – all of which will improve their overall quality of life.
Mental Health Benefits of Holiday Music
The goal of music therapy is to allow participants to address underlying issues and express themselves in a way they normally can’t do with words alone. By distracting the mind, music can improve one’s mental health by alleviating symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Mental health professionals that treat patients with music therapy have long recognized that improvisation is a key aspect of clinical success. Holiday music can help older participants improve self-esteem, communication skills, self-awareness, concentration, attention, and awareness of others.
Music is also linked to memory, as most aging adults associate specific songs, artists, or genres with major events and milestones in their lives – including holidays. As a “life soundtrack” of sorts, those with dementia and Alzheimer’s can benefit from music by accessing their past experiences and memories.
For aging-in-place seniors who have trouble communicating, music provides a way for them to express themselves and interact with their informal caregivers.
Holiday Music Also Promotes Socialization
Seniors who socialize regularly tend to be happier, healthier, and even live longer than those who don’t. For older adults who feel isolated or struggle with verbal communication, listening to music with others during the holidays can help improve communication skills and promote much-needed socialization.
How You Can Help
You don’t have to be a professional musician or trained therapist to help aging loved ones take advantage of music therapy tools.
Ways to introduce seniors to the healing powers of music this holiday season include:
- Download a playlist of holiday songs on their smartphone.
- Play holiday music when they are at your house (Better yet, buy a record player and ask them to bring some of their old vinyl Christmas records).
- Invite them to your child’s holiday school program.
- Take them to a holiday concert.
- Dance together while listening to some of their holiday favorites.
Family Trusted In-Home Care for Seniors in NW Boston
Introducing aging loved ones to the healing powers of music isn’t easy when you can’t always be there. At Assisting Hands Home Care, our professional in-home senior care services allow clients in the greater Boston, MA, area to remain safely and comfortably in their own homes. Our trained, dependable caregivers and personal assistants can help your family overcome its eldercare challenges while making your loved one’s home an even better place to be.
Our turnkey home care services include everything from companionship, meal preparation, medication reminders, and transportation to light housekeeping, laundry, and personal care assistance with bathing and dressing. From a few hours a day to around-the-clock care, our customized in-home care solutions have got your family covered. To learn more about Assisting Hands Home Care or schedule a free consultation for a senior in Northwest Boston, click here now.
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