The great thing about music is that it is not only for relaxation. It
is something that can also be used as a therapy. There are a lot of benefits
that you will be able to get when you listen to music. When you finally decide
to take music lessons, you will certainly enjoy other improvements in the
cognitive and emotional aspects.
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is a musical intervention that improves a person's quality
of life. It is founded on the notion that singing or playing musical
instruments is important in improving motor skills and making a person feel
more confident. This evidence-based approach can be used to enhance your
emotional, social, physical, and spiritual health.
Individual treatment is done making use of this therapy. It also
includes different activities such as relaxation and orientation work for the
older individuals. It can help not only in improving people's wellbeing, but
also in treating disabilities, injuries, and illnesses.
Types of music therapy:
There are two types of music therapy that engage a patient in different
ways based on their needs:
- Receptive
Music Therapy
In this type of music therapy,
the patient is asked to listen to a recording or to live music. The music
involved here is chosen by the therapist. This type of therapy is known to help
in coping. It can help in lessening stress and pain, improving the mood, and
making the person feel more relaxed. It is also great in dealing with anxiety.
- Active
Music Therapy
This is the type of music therapy that
involves music lessons. With the therapist acting as
teacher, the patient is asked to sing, play instruments, or make music. These
activities are perfect for seniors, because they can help them overcome emotional
and physical difficulties that come with age.
Benefits of music therapy for
seniors:
Music is good for everyone and it is especially advantageous for older
individuals. Here are the different benefits of music therapy for seniors:
- Reduce
stress
Stress is a normal part of
everyday life and all people experience this. However, older adults are prone
to more stress and tension due to physical and environmental changes. When
seniors listen to music, it can help in lessening the stress and anxiety they
are feeling. It can be very helpful in reducing the stress hormone cortisol and
in normalizing the heart rate. With music therapy, the therapist knows how to
determine the music appropriate for the specific situation.
- Music can
inspire movement
Music therapy supports a healthy
lifestyle and is perfect for encouraging seniors to move. With music, they can
dance, clap, or tap their toes. One of the main points of music therapy is to
encourage seniors to participate. With the use of different musical instruments
such as drums, this purpose of music therapy can be achieved.
- Increase
social interaction
It is not a secret that music
can help bring people together. There are some programs under music therapy
that aims to increase the communication among the people in a certain group.
This is one of the best ways to help older people connect with their peers
around them. In the process, they are encouraged to make new friends and be
more social. This is very important for mental health among older adults.
- Improves
verbal communication skills
There are moments when
communicating can difficult. This is where music comes in. Older adults who are
having a hard time expressing themselves will be guided through the help of
music. With different activities such as singing and picking songs that
represent them, they are slowly being guided. In this type of program, they
will be guided on how to speak their minds and how to communicate in a free and
simple manner.
- Helps balance
mood and emotional state
Some older adults can be prone
to anxiety. This may affect their mood and their actions for the whole day.
This is also the reason why music must be considered as an important part of
their daily lives. There are types of music that are soothing and relaxing. By
integrating this type of music as backgrounds for daily activities, they will
feel calmer. It can provide them with the sense of relaxation and ease.
- Manage
physical pain and discomfort
One of the most common uses of
music therapy is to deal with physical pain and discomfort. For older people,
some physical conditions are inevitable. Music therapy can help. There are
different ways music can help in managing physical pain and discomfort. One of
the most common is to distract the patient from what he or she is feeling. It
can provide comfort after an operation and it can also boost the emotional
condition of the person.
- Improve
memory
Memory loss is one of the consequences
of dementia. This is something that is common among older adults. With specific
programs of music therapy, they will be able to enhance their memory. One of
the activities that can be done here is to learn music. Learning to play a
musical instrument involves the hand, brain and eye coordination. This is one
way to enhance the cognitive aspect.
Music lessons are not only for children. Music is a life-long benefit
that can be taught to adults of any age. The benefits are not only focused on
the physical aspect, but also on the mind and emotion. Indeed, music is one of
the best elements to help you deal with uncertainties in life.
