Music Therapy for the Elderly

According to the American Music Therapy Association, Music Therapy is defined as the following:

“Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.”

Music is something that isn’t always thought of in a clinical sense, but the benefits of music therapy can be incredible. Music therapy can be especially helpful in the senior citizen population.

For the elderly, music therapy can help in numerous ways. In 2012 a YouTube video of an elderly man named Henry went viral on YouTube. At the beginning of the video, he was unresponsive, but with the aid of a set of headphones and some music he became animated and responsive. This served as a reminder that music therapy is an incredible tool when working with the elderly.

Here are some of the things that music therapy can do:

• Listening to music will help to ease anxiety in older patients.

• Lyric writing and singing can help with the expression of different emotions and feelings.

• Music can help strengthen the immune system.

• Listening to music releases dopamine, which is associated with pleasure.

• It is incredibly helpful for individuals who are non-verbal. Music crosses all communication barriers, so it can be especially helpful with individuals who have suffered a stroke or are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

• For older patients, music is linked with memories, so it can stimulate memories, increase awareness and initiate emotional responses.

If you know of an elderly individual who may benefit from music therapy, you can reach out to a local music therapist. Additionally, you could sit with your elderly loved one and make a playlist of different songs they enjoy. You can spend time listening to the music with your elderly loved one and both reap the benefits of music!

For more information on music therapy, you can visit these websites:

CNN Health: When patients have ‘music emergencies’ 

NPR: For Elders With Dementia, Musical Awakenings 

American Music Therapy Association