What Is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is the use of music to address physical, mental, emotional and social needs. With this type of therapy, a trained music therapist talks to you to learn about your music preferences and experiences and designs sessions specific to your needs. These sessions may involve listening to music, singing, playing an instrument, writing a song or using guided imagery set to music.

While music therapy may seem like a new idea, it goes back thousands of years to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Rome and Greece. Among these groups, music was seen as a way to promote physical health. Music therapy officially took off in the United States after World War II, when therapists used it to help veterans cope with physical and emotional trauma.

The two main types of music therapy are active interventions and receptive interventions. With active interventions, you take an active role in creating music. This might include singing, writing a song or playing an instrument. Receptive interventions involve listening to the music a therapist makes or plays from a recording. You might spend time discussing memories associated with specific songs, lyrical themes and the emotions you feel when listening to different genres.

The Benefits of Music Therapy for Older Adults

As a therapeutic tool, music benefits seniors by stimulating the brain, reducing stress and fostering social connections, which are key to healthy aging.

Encourages Cognitive Functioning

One of the most significant benefits of music therapy is its ability to stimulate cognitive functioning by enhancing memory recall, supporting communication skills and improving attention. This is particularly important for seniors with changes in cognitive abilities, such as those with memory-related conditions.

Improves Sleep Quality

Difficulty getting quality sleep is a common complaint among older adults, affecting how they feel and function. Music therapy promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety, making it an effective form of therapy for those unable to get adequate sleep. By incorporating music therapy into an evening routine, caregivers can help seniors establish a more restful sleep pattern. Similarly, seniors may listen to calming music before going to bed to address insomnia and sleep disorders.

Alleviates Mental Health Issues

Changes in physical health, the loss of loved ones and changes in social habits and abilities create mental health issues for many seniors. While depression is common among seniors, it’s not a normal part of aging. Music can serve as a natural remedy for managing mental health issues by reducing stress-producing hormones and increasing dopamine levels.

Helps With Chronic Pain Management

Pain management is a top concern in senior care. Chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and neuropathy can be disruptive to daily functioning, and for many seniors, prescription and over-the-counter pain medications aren’t enough to manage symptoms.

Fortunately, studies show that music offers effective drug-free pain management, making it an important part of many seniors’ treatment plans. Listening to music can reduce pain perception in the brain, change pain pathways and release endorphins, which act as natural painkillers for the body.

Creates Social Connections

Social isolation is a common issue among seniors. Music-focused recreational activities help older adults foster meaningful connections, providing opportunities for reminiscing and bonding over shared references and experiences. Group singing and music trivia activities do more than provide entertainment; they create a sense of community and reduce feelings of isolation.

Supports Physical Rehabilitation

Creating music involves coordination, requiring you to hone motor skills and overall physical strength while engaging in synchronized movement. For that reason, it’s a complementary treatment for physical therapy. According to one study, those who experienced a stroke showed significant improvements in balance, cognition and gait when their routines included music therapy.

Gives Space for Emotional Expression

Music provides an outlet for a wide range of emotions, from joy to grief and everything in between. It offers a nonverbal way to express emotions, making it valuable for those who have difficulty articulating what they’re thinking and feeling. Through activities such as songwriting and playing instruments, older adults can share their emotions in a safe environment.

What Conditions Can Music Therapy Address?

Therapists typically use music therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan with a range of techniques and modalities. Research shows this type of therapy can be beneficial for a variety of conditions, including:

• Pain management
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Dementia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Anxiety disorders
• Cancer
• Stroke

How Assisted Living Communities Integrate Music Therapy

‍Assisted living communities bring music into day-to-day life through a variety of programs and activities. For example, at Bethesda Gardens Arlington, our activities calendar gives residents opportunities to enjoy their favorite songs and connect over classic tunes. Residents can participate in weekly hymn sings and Name That Tune and Evening With Music activities.

Music therapy offers a unique way to build social connections, reminisce and improve physical and cognitive health. If you enjoy listening to or playing music, this may be a great recreational therapy.