The Importance of Music for the Elderly
Hot soup on a cold winter day – that’s what music is. Healing to the body and soothing to the heart.
“I brood not over the broken past,
Nor dread whatever time may bring;
No nights are dark, no days are long,
While in my heart there swells a song,
And I can sing.”
The words of the poem ring true. There is power in music. It takes just one beautiful song to smoothly transition from a stressful day into relaxation mode. The therapeutic effects of music well exceed any remedy that medicine can prescribe. This is true, particularly in the case of the elderly.
In this article, we will look at how music helps the elderly, and you might hear a song or two from the residents!
What Experts Say
For our elderly ones, old age can be a debilitating stage in their lives. Physical limitations, decline in overall mental health, and loneliness can make it difficult to adjust and cope. To such ones, music can become a lifeline. It can remarkably stir strong emotions, bring back joyful memories, and ignite a sense of vitality.
Music provides the elderly with more than just entertainment. The National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted by the University of Michigan says:
“Three-quarters of people aged 50 to 80 say music helps them relieve stress or relax, and 65% say it helps their mental health or mood. Meanwhile, 60% say they get energized or motivated by music.”
A study published by the National Library of Medicine showed that listening to music improves cognitive skills such as fluency, working memory, and recognition memory. Researchers Judde and Rickard (2010) used the example of background music to explain the improvements in cognitive abilities. They performed a study in which participants listened to music for 3 minutes after the acquisition of information. They had better recognition memory a week later.
The effect of music on patients with Alzheimer’s is astonishing. Watch this touching video of former ballet dancer Marta Cinta González Saldaña who had Alzheimer's. It is marvellous to see her reacting to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Musical.
An article by WebMD titled “Health Benefits of Music Therapy for Older Adults” throws more light. It shows that music therapy, becoming increasingly integrated into healthcare settings, has many health benefits for the elderly. It gives them an outlet for creativity, socialization, and mental stimulation.
How Does Music Help the Elderly?
An Awake article puts it beautifully:
“Music appeals to virtually the full range of human emotions. It soothes and excites us, uplifts and inspires us. It moves us to ecstasy and reduces us to tears. Moreover, because music speaks straight to our heart, it has power. Why are we so moved by music? The answer is really quite simple: Music is a beautiful gift from God. (James 1:17) As such, it should be treasured, it should be wholesome, and it should be available to all—young and old.”
Here are a few benefits that music brings to the elderly:
Reduces Anxiety
Music influences emotional regulation by evoking positive emotions and improving mood. Listening to calming music with familiar melodies can effectively distract anxiety-inducing thoughts and promote relaxation.
An article by Harvard Health Medical states that music is shown to lower heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and decrease cortisol levels. This leads to reduced anxious arousal. It also speeds up recovery for stroke survivors.
2. Improves CommunicationSinging or engaging in musical activities with family, peers, or support groups improves verbal speech abilities in older adults. Non-verbal forms of expression like gestures and facial expressions can also be cultivated in people with speech impediments or cognitive impairments.
3. Encourages Creativity and Personal Expression
Engaging in music allows seniors to explore their creativity. It could be playing an instrument or experimenting with different melodies. Music can be interpreted in unique ways, and very often, interpretation is based on life experiences. It can evoke powerful emotions, bring back fond memories, and be an outlet for personal expression.
4. Promotes Sleep
A research article published by the National Institute of Health (NIH) had an interesting observation. It brought out that music can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation. This in turn supports good sleep. Calm and soothing background music reduces cortisol levels, masks disruptive noises, and creates a more conducive environment for uninterrupted sleep.
5. Pain ManagementMusic can help manage physical and emotional pain. It provides a pleasant distraction from physical discomfort, altering the perception of pain intensity. It positively influences emotions and mood, promotes relaxation, and reduces stress and anxiety usually associated with pain.
Music in Jah-Jireh
If you visit the Jah-Jireh Homes, you will see how integral music is in our everyday lives. We love singing Kingdom songs together and listening to original songs throughout the day. Apart from that, we have wonderful brothers and sisters who come in and volunteer to sing for the residents. We remember the days of the lockdown when so many friends from all over the world arranged to have virtual concerts for our elderly ones. It helped all of us through those dark days.
We are grateful for this gift of music from our Creator. We are thankful for our staff at Jah-Jireh who organize these musical events for our residents. We thank the volunteers who give their time and talent. We deeply appreciate your donations that make all this happen. And last but not least, we love our elderly ones who are always game for a good song and teach us what it means to enjoy life despite the trials of age.
In conclusion, music is beneficial to the elderly in more ways than one. It is an ally that aids our seniors in their twilight years. Let’s make it musical!
If you would like to donate towards arranging musical events for the elderly, please click here:
If you would like to volunteer to come and spend time with the elderly or organise an event, please contact us:
