4 Ways Music Therapy Can Help Your Senior Loved One’s Brain
If you are caring for an aging parent, chances are you want to ensure they receive the very best care possible. You have hired a reliable and reputable senior home care in Santa Clarita, and you want to make sure that they have company and conversation, and that you spend as much time possible with them. However, did you know there are a number of additional things you can do to enhance their lives and their minds? 
No matter style or genre preference, music is an international language which is able to cross any barrier despite age, ability, or race. Lyrics and songs are able to be associated with a large number of feelings and memories for seniors, and studies have even shown that listening to music regularly can also help to calm a senior’s nerves, help them relax, and ease their stress and tension.
Individuals that provide senior home care in Santa Clarita for patients that are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can utilize music therapy in order to help keep and elderly adult’s cognitive function at a higher level and it may work to actually slow the progression of these debilitating illnesses. Additionally, with music, seniors have an opportunity to interact on a social level through playing, listening or singing to the music. This can help to distract them from any chronic pain and negative feelings they may be experiencing.
The four main benefits offered by music therapy for a senior include:
- Recollection of memories: Music can bring back fond memories for seniors. A song may trigger a memory of their younger days that is otherwise forgotten.
- Reduction of discomfort, pain, anxiety and stress.
- Increase in mood, helping them to get more out of each day.
- An increase in their overall awareness of their surroundings and what is going on.
However, the benefits do not have to stop there. A caregiver can provide a number of different types of music therapy, offering the senior a time to relax and unwind. Some methods to administer this music therapy include:
- Singing songs that are familiar to a senior and then asking them to provide a title for the song.
- Playing a number of the senior’s favorite songs and then having them recall a memory related to the music.
- Playing soothing music while the patient meditates or relaxes.
- Playing music while being active with a senior, such as taking a walk or dancing in the living room.
- Encouraging the senior to sing along with their favorite tunes.
Music is a powerful tool and can be used for the enhancement of your senior loved one’s life. No matter if you are your parent’s caregiver or if you have hired professional service such as Comfort Keepers for senior home care in Santa Clarita, music should be implemented into the seniors daily routine. The benefits it offers are well worth it and your senior will likely enjoy this time very much, as well.
Comfort Keepers
23900 Lyons Avenue
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
661-287-4200
