How to Incorporate Music Therapy in Senior Care
Among the many states associated with music, New York ranks near the top. Several well-known stages have hosted prominent singers and musicians and brought together millions of people, from Flushing Meadows Corona Park and Forest Hills Stadium to the Prudential Center, Citi Field, and Madison Square Garden. For seniors in White Plains, music can also unlock a wonderful world of self-expression and connection.
In Visiting Angels of White Plains’ decade in business, we’ve enjoyed listening to numerous musical genres and artists as they tell stories of the world from their perspective. Our caregivers understand how integral music can be for many seniors. Indeed, music therapy helps individuals of all ages nationwide work through their struggles and embrace the journey ahead.
The Benefits of Music Therapy For Seniors
Studies have shown that music can positively impact lives in many ways, from delaying the onset of cognitive decline to reducing anxiety and depression. For many, music is the key to improving our mood, forging social connections, and finding others with the same struggles as our own. Music and memory are integrally linked, and the subtle beats within songs tap into instinctual expressions we all share.
How to Incorporate Music Therapy in Senior Care
The beauty of music lies in its fluctuating forms. Music can be as simple as a drum beat that a circle of seniors attune to or as complex as a solo performance. If you’d like to incorporate music into senior care, below are a few ideas to help jumpstart your creativity:
- Create one or more playlists of your favorite songs. We often tie significant events or people in our lives to various songs, and sometimes, listening to them can help lift our mood and allow us to focus on the positives in life.
- Play a game of “Name that song.” Approach your favorite songs differently by trying to guess what song a particular snippet comes from.
- Set aside time to listen to music. Play music before bed or while you do your favorite hobby. Integrate music into your day as you best see fit.
- Establish your own drum circle. If you prefer connecting with others through music, create your own drum circle to practice different beats and play with different types of drums.
- Learn how to play an instrument. Interacting with music through an instrument can help seniors maintain hand-eye coordination and work toward a goal.
- Join local musical classes. The Music Conservatory of Westchester offers several adult programs, from private lessons to music theory studies.
- Start your own music study group. Instead of creating a group focused on a particular genre or singer, teach seniors about the different styles of music and how they came to be. Each week could have a new theme, with guest speakers or local artists.
Music highlights the collaborative efforts of self-expression and our most cherished connections. How can you incorporate music into your life?
Supporting Senior Rhythms: Visiting Angels of White Plains
Incorporating music into senior care takes on as many forms as there are musical genres. If you’d like to learn more about self-expression and senior care, check out the following articles:
- Simple Memory Care Activities for Seniors
- 6 Tips to Support Senior Emotional Well-Being
- How Participating in Theater Can Benefit Seniors
- The Magic of Music for Bettering Overall Health
Are you ready to learn more about how Visiting Angels of White Plains can help you, your spouse, or an aging loved one? Contact us to learn more about our services, set up a free consultation, and discover how you can integrate music therapy into your life.