While music is a universal mood booster, memory sparker and workout motivator for folks of all ages, the effects that toe-tapping tunes have on the quality of life for seniors is particularly noteworthy.
It may sound crazy that something as simple as music can have the profound power to soothe various ailments like stress, depression and pain relief in older adults, but it can. It can also uplift their spirits physically, emotionally and cognitively.
So, in addition to being universal, music is an all-powerful medicine that, in the lives of seniors, can offer health benefits far more plentiful and powerful than just pleasing melodies. Music for older adults can also be enjoyed from anywhere and incorporated into almost anything!
Keep reading for fun and engaging music activities for seniors and to learn more on how to effortlessly improve the quality of life for your loved one simply by listening to music.
What Are the Benefits of Music?
Have you ever heard a long-forgotten song come on the radio that instantly took you back, changed your mood or evoked a sudden emotion? If you have, it’s because music has the transcendent ability to connect, inspire and, in the lives of seniors, improve health and manage disease symptoms.
The human brain has always been puzzling, but the craving your brain has for rhythm and melody is as fervent as a 9-to-5er’s need for coffee in the morning. If you’re a dedicated coffee drinker, then you’ll understand the full mind and body activation that comes with that morning cup.
The benefits of music, however, whether creating or listening, activate structures in the brain responsible for thinking, feeling, moving and more. These effects can lead to the following health benefits in seniors:
Cognitive
Common skills such as learning, decision-making and language ability largely rely on the brain’s primary cognitive function of memory, which is one of the cognitive skills most affected by aging. But when seniors listen to music, various parts of the brain become stimulated, releasing hormones and neurotransmitters that promote memory recall, foster feelings of nostalgia and even spark cognitive abilities like speaking in seniors with language barriers.
Physical
There’s a reason why people jam out when they’re working out: Music motivates. Whether you’re walking, stretching or doing water aerobics, the joy you get from listening to music can provide just the right jolt to jump into physical activity!
The more music you listen to and physical activity you engage in, the more likely you are to reap the health benefits associated with frequent physical activity.
Mental/psychological
Plainly put, music is magic. It can make you sad, happy, calm or comfortable; uplift your spirit; boost your mood; and promote social interaction. Seniors who often listen to music naturally have a more pleasant outlook on life, regularly engaging in social activity and healthy self-expression.
The soothing melodies of a consistent musical presence can also promote positive overall health in the following ways:
- Reduced anxiety
- Improved sleep quality
- Lower blood pressure
- Diminished pain
- Enhanced recovery
Whether your loved one lives alone, with a caregiver or in a senior living community, their quality of life can greatly improve simply by infusing music into every day – an easy feat! We’ll show you how.
Music Activities for Older Adults
When researching fun and engaging music activities for seniors, feel free to involve all members of the family – including the grandkids! After all, music is universal. That said, check out these fun indoor activities for seniors:
- Listen to what your kids or grandkids listen to! New music presents a challenge to the brain – forcing it to flex and figure out the new sound. This is especially helpful to seniors struggling with the early stages of dementia.
- Create a personal playlist for your senior loved one of their favorite songs throughout the years. These songs will remind them of treasured memories and fill them with feelings of love, relaxation and connection.
- Encourage them to play an instrument. Even if it’s just tapping away on a tambourine, your loved one will benefit from the mental agility and physical dexterity of this fun and interactive activity.
- Engage in sing-along songs for seniors! Gather the family together for a night of karaoke and intergenerational bonding at home, singing with your senior loved one songs like “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Oh! Susanna.” It’s a great way for your loved one to feel socially connected.
- Accompany them to a live concert. Try to find one outdoors so that your senior loved one can enjoy the fresh air and vibrant colors as they soak in sounds of summer.
Music Activities in Senior Living
Senior living communities are passionate about providing avenues and amenities that support healthy and active living in older adults, which is why some of the same music activities you can enjoy at home are also offered at retirement communities, such as:
- Sing-alongs for seniors. Sing-alongs are daily activities that promote social engagement for seniors, offering a sense of community and connectedness.
- Music therapy sessions. Tailored to residents’ needs and interests, certified music therapists engage in music programs and activities that help reduce stress and enhance overall well-being.
- Singing groups and choirs. Seniors enjoy the camaraderie and social benefits of singing with their peers in addition to the breathing techniques that help boost overall lung capacity.
- Instructor-led dance classes. Improve mobility by busting a move and staying active! The rhythmic beat serves as a mood booster while low-impact physical activity improves balance and flexibility.
- Community events and social hours. It’s not outside the realm of possibility for a senior living community to bring in an Elvis impersonator for a good time or host a summer concert. For older adults struggling with loneliness or depression, events like these work wonders on their overall health.
Music for Seniors Leads to Enhanced Quality of Life
It’s no doubt that music has the power to boost moods, spark lost memories and motivate us to move our muscles, but who knew music could be such a powerhouse for older adults! The benefits of music can impact seniors in remarkable ways – from cognitive stimulation and mental well-being to social wellness and physical strength.
Music can touch the minds and spirits of those around us in a way that words simply cannot. So now that you understand the physical and psychological benefits of music on older adults, try infusing your senior loved one’s days with the gift of song and watch their quality of life improve as the beat of the music grows.
About Tutera Senior Living & Health Care
At Tutera Senior Living & Health Care, we’re committed to providing seniors with quality care that supports their emotional, intellectual and physical needs. Using individualized care plans, empowering wellness programming and clinical excellence, we’re able to restore quality of life for many seniors.
Interested in learning more about Tutera Senior Living? You can use our community finder tool to locate a community near you or call us today with any questions.
