5 Benefits of Music Therapy for Seniors

Did you know? Apart from being a form of entertainment, music is also widely recognized for its numerous physical and mental health benefits. At More to Life Adult Day Health Center, a trusted adult day care health center in Sparks, Nevada, we incorporate music therapy into our senior care activities. After all, the benefits of listening to music are well-documented in numerous studies. Here are some of its benefits for seniors:

• Stress Reduction
  Small amounts of stress are a normal part of life; however, some seniors may experience overwhelming tension and anxiety. One study shows that listening to music helps in reducing stress and anxiety – it can reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and slow high heart rates. In music therapy, songs with certain themes or rhythms are used to help people relax.
• Improve Concentration and Memory
  Listening to music has shown to improvements in concentration and memory for seniors. One study researched the effects of background music on memory and brain processing speed in older adults. Results showed that when listening to music, episodic memory performance was better. Listening to classical music also showed an improvement in a senior’s brain processing speed and semantic memory.
• Improve Cognitive Skills
  In a Stanford University study, researchers found that listening to rhythmic music can stimulate specific areas of the brain. This stimulation can increase blood flow and improve a senior’s performance on cognitive tests.
• Improve Speech Skills
  To slow down the decline of speech skills in dementia patients, music therapy is often used during memory care treatment. In some cases, seniors with dementia who hear music from their past have also been shown to respond positively. They may start to recognize songs and its related memories.
• Reduce Depression
  One study shows that music can help reduce depression in seniors. The right music can improve one’s mood, calm them down when feeling overwhelmed, and bring back fond memories. Listening to music is also a good way to exercise a senior’s mind and relive good memories from the past.

As a premier provider of senior care in Nevada, we utilize different kinds of music to help improve each resident’s emotional, physical, and mental well-being.