Music Therapy Ideas For Older Adults
Music therapy has long been used as a successful means to assist seniors with physical and mental health issues. It offers an alternative solution to traditional medical treatments like prescription drugs and physical therapy exercises.
No matter your role as a family caregiver or an experienced professional, music therapy ideas for older adults can be enjoyed in senior living facilities or at home. These techniques have been proven effective in treating conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and traumatic brain injury.
One popular music therapy idea for older adults is singing along to their favorite songs. Singing together can create an incredibly strong bonding experience between all parties involved and also be an effective therapy to help your loved one cope with memory loss.
Singing can help alleviate symptoms associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, such as mood and anxiety disorders, depression and mood instability, agitation, social isolation, and memory loss. Furthermore, singing may improve quality of life for those living with these diseases while increasing their levels of happiness.
Playing popular music from a senior’s past can help spark their memories and help them remember where they came from and who they were with. This approach may be especially helpful if your senior has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Vibroacoustic therapy is a type of music therapy that utilizes low frequency vibrations to stimulate the body’s natural healing and regenerative processes. This type of therapy is often seen in hospitals, rehabilitation centers and other medical settings to aid patients recover from injuries or illnesses.
One of the primary advantages of music therapy for older adults is that it encourages them to get more exercise. This could include simply listening to music or even doing a walking routine that incorporates music.
Music’s rhythmic nature can motivate toe-tapping and clapping, which helps improve coordination and endurance for seniors with limited mobility. Additionally, it encourages various exercises like yoga, Tai Chi or stretching that target different muscle groups.
Dance can be an effective way for seniors to relieve stress and express their emotions. Dancing usually helps release tension associated with feelings of sadness or anger.
Physical affection such as hugging and kissing can also be encouraged when appropriate.
A therapist can collaborate with you or your loved one to craft a musical program tailored specifically for their needs. This could range from creating an iPod playlist of favorite songs, to more complex therapies combining singing and music therapy.
For many seniors, music is an integral part of their daily lives. It can provide a soothing way to unwind after a long day or difficult care tasks.
Streaming services like Spotify and Pandora offer a vast library of music that can be accessed from the convenience of your own home.
