Music therapy is used in many different settings, often seen in healthcare communities such as nursing homes, assisted living, and hospitals. This form of therapy serves a variety of people who suffer from different illness and conditions. One particular group that benefits from the profound physical and psychological effects of music therapy are seniors with a form of dementia.
Research has shown that music affects both the body, and the psyche, creating different reaction in different individuals. Some of the most well documented effects are as follows:
- Increased awareness and improved concentration.
- Tension and stress relief.
- Decreased occurrence of behavioral problems, improved coordination and mobility.
- Improved memory and recall.
- Promotion of relaxation.
- Diminished pain and reduced recovery time.
Although those are just a few of the benefits, it is easy to see that the use of music as therapy for seniors and those with dementia can have a positive impact on both the caregiver and the patient’s quality of life.
How can music cause such changes? Lee noted that music is perceived by many different parts of the brain rather than just one section in particular; the different elements of music such as rhythm, pitch, and melody are all processed differently by distinct parts of the human brain. Therefore, it is capable of reaching the remaining healthy sections of the patient’s brain, even if the person is suffering from a disease such as dementia.
According to Emily Saarman’s article in the Stanford News Service titled Symposium looking at therapeutic benefits of musical rhythm, music has the power to affect the brainwaves in our bodies. The change in brainwave activity levels can enable the brain to shift speeds more easily on its own, as needed, creating lasting benefits for your state of mind. Music that has a stronger beat or rhythm stimulates the brainwaves to become in sync with the beat, where a faster beat creates sharper concentration and alertness, and slower rhythms create a calmer, more meditative state.
There is evidence that music therapy may be beneficial in managing the symptoms of dementia, regardless of what stage the person is in. Even if the resident cannot communicate verbally, music has the power to relax them, and you can see the tension lift from their faces as a soothing or familiar song plays, or a tear brought to their eye because the music touches them on a deeper level than trying to simply converse with them. It has been seen that even a bedridden resident will tap the beat of the music with their foot, or simply nod their head to the rhythm. What small miracles to illicit from the simple act of singing to someone, or playing their longtime favorite song!
Although music certainly does not replace a companion, it can bring about many positive effects when used properly. With our population continually aging, it makes sense that many professionals are starting to “tune” their clients in to the increasingly popular effects of music therapy so they too can reap the rewards of such an interesting remedy.
Terri Miller, LNHA, is the Administrator of Maple Tree Terrace Assisted Living. She is also a guest columnist for The Carthage Press. She can be reached at carthage@americareusa.net.
