By looking at our Celebrations Activities and Events schedule, you will notice that our residents participate in occasional music therapy sessions. During these music therapy sessions, residents are welcomed to try out various musical instruments, write and sing songs or simply listen to music. Based on the evidence from multiple research studies, music therapy is a tried-and-tested clinical approach to treating mental disorders and provide a therapeutic outlet for patients. As such, there’s no denying that the impacts of music matter greatly, especially in forming a holistic lifestyle that covers an individual’s physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional health. Here are other positive impacts of music that your loved ones can benefit from.
Enhance Memory and Concentration Skills
As your loved ones learn to play a musical instrument or sing a song, they will have to memorize the steps or lyrics, which can help to improve their memory skills. Playing instruments also require your loved ones to analyze the patterns and rhythms, as well as understand instructions. If your loved ones are living with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other memory loss-related conditions, music therapy can do wonders for them, as it provides an opportunity for their minds to get up and running. In the long run, your loved ones will also find themselves having a much easier time processing information and focusing on the tasks at hand.
Relieve Stress and Anxiousness
It goes without saying that music can calm our minds and help our bodies to relax, especially when we’re listening to orchestral or other soothing sounds. Studies have shown that music has the ability to slow down a person’s heart rate and reduce the production of cortisol, which is the main stress hormone in our bodies. Therefore, during music therapy sessions, we can guarantee that your loved ones will feel instantly relaxed, at ease, and much happier as they will no longer feel as overwhelmed and anxious.
Promote Socialization
Considering that loneliness and social isolation are two conditions increasingly faced by more mature adults, we have made it a priority for our residents to mingle and form meaningful connections with each other. A lack of social engagement can cause loved ones to suffer from poor mental health like depression and hinder other aspects of their lives, from a lack of appetite to poor sleep quality. Music therapy sessions take place in a group setting, where loved ones are engaged in a non-judgmental setting to play music and make friends at the same time. Music also functions as an icebreaker, so your loved ones can break away from any fear or shyness to enjoy the company of other residents, and bond with them.
Encourage Physical Movement
For loved ones who are sedentary, it can be challenging to find a light activity that does not require much physical movement. This is where music therapy comes in. From clapping the hands to swaying the body to the beats and rhythms, these small movements provide an opportunity for your loved ones to work their bodies occasionally.
