Music can be a powerful, pleasurable presence in many people’s lives. A good song can lift your mood and rekindle memories. It can also make your day more enjoyable. Music and seniors are a great combination. Everyone can benefit from music, whether they are active and healthy or those who have cognitive challenges.
Music therapy can also be used to help seniors feel connected and move in a fulfilling way.
Learn more about the many benefits of music listening, as well as some common music therapy techniques. There are also ways seniors can find their favorite music.
What’s Music Therapy for Seniors?
Music therapy sessions for seniors can be informal or formal and include listening to music, writing songs, singing, song improvisation, or simply clapping or drumming along.
Music therapy can be delivered in one of two ways: active or passive. Here’s how they work:
Active Music Therapy
Interactive music, dancing, and singing are all part of this interactive method. This stimulates movement, which can be good for your physical health.
Receptive music therapy
This technique encourages listening to music with a carefully selected playlist. Seniors will find the music they choose to listen to reflects their culture, generation, and shared experiences.
Music and Senior Health: How can it help?
The National Institutes of Health cites a 2022 study that shows music can improve the quality of life, creativity, and social interaction among seniors. Music can be a great way to improve the health of seniors suffering from depression and chronic conditions.
Here are some benefits of music for seniors.
Calm – Seniors can relax by listening to songs with different instruments, lyrics, rhythms, and themes. Songs can slow down your heart rate and reduce cortisol levels, which are hormones linked to stress.
Communication Seniors can hum along with the music and can communicate verbally. This can help them express themselves and convey joy, even if it’s difficult.
Memory – Music can help seniors remember patterns, rhythms, and words. Memories of loved ones and places can be triggered by familiar songs.
Mood – Joyful, energetic music can help people overcome depression and cope with fears, hopelessness, and loneliness. Music can be used to distract the mind of those who are depressed and help them relax and de-stress.
Movement Seniors need to move. Music classes can encourage movement and exercise. These classes can include clapping, dancing and moving. Even those who sit still can get involved in the movement.
Socialization – Music can break down social barriers and fight against anxiety. Seniors can find joy and comfort in music together, whether it is an organized hobby or an organized activity.
Seniors Can Search for Music
You have many options to get music, including checking out CDs and DVDs from the library or buying from music shops, thrift stores, or used media stores.
Streaming apps are a great way to find music for seniors. They have curated playlists and offer the possibility to create your own playlists.
These are the top streaming music sites that will work on any device, including a smartphone, tablet, or smartphone.
Amazon Music
Amazon Music offers hundreds of playlists and podcasts for free and also features “stations” of ad-free music to subscribers. Amazon offers Unlimited, Prime, and Free editions with different features at each level.
Apple Music
Apple Music offers curated playlists as well as links to radio stations. Apple Music, as with most streaming services, focuses heavily on current music. However, you can find nostalgic playlists by doing some searching. Apple Music is free for a month, then you will be charged.
Idagio
Idagio streaming service is the only one that exclusively streams classical music. Idagio provides a free listening level, as well as a subscription without ads. A second level will allow you to access archived and live concerts.
iHeart
iHeart was originally limited to radio stations. However, it now offers other streaming music lists as well as podcasts. Although the service is completely free, it does contain ads.
Pandora
Pandora takes your preferences into consideration and creates playlists based on them. Listening to more music makes the lists more personal. There are also lists that can be sorted by artists or music genres. Pandora offers both free and paid options that allow you to listen without ads and further customize your playlists.
SiriusXM
SiriusXM was a satellite streaming service that was only available for cars, but is now available as an app. It can be used on smartphones, computers, and smart TVs. There are many “stations” that cater to different genres, artists, and decades. You can also subscribe to non-music stations.
Spotify
Spotify offers music and podcasts in all styles. Spotify playlists can be listened to by others, or you can create your own playlists. Spotify offers two levels: a free level with ads and a subscription that is completely free.
YouTube Music
YouTube Music allows you to create custom playlists or share other playlists with your friends. You can find oldies playlists by doing some searching. YouTube Music is free at first, but you will have to pay per month.
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