Music as Therapy

Music as Therapy Music as Therapy

Music as Therapy

Music makes the world go ‘round. A favorite song can take you back in time to a special moment, or help present moments be even more meaningful. The impact of music on mood and wellness has been widely studied. Music can also be used as therapy, especially for seniors. Music therapy has positive impacts on mood, behaviors and even sleep (Motthagi et al, 2015). Whether being played live by a volunteer, listening to a recording or played by a licensed music therapist, music has incredible impacts on the quality of life of the older person (Pinson, 2013).

People gather around to listen to live performers and have shared experiences and fellowship. Taking a step back in time with music gives seniors a sense of community. They can share memories of times gone by, or even take a few moments to relive their youth. This not only helps them make friends and create bonds with peers, but also helps the older person maintain parts of their identity (Pinson, 2013). Dancing to music has its own set of benefits, including being considered cardiovascular exercise and social benefits if you dance with others.

Music is a big part of our lives here at The Paragon. In fact, we host about 7 music related activities per week! We often have volunteers come by to play instruments and sing, as well as church groups that sing hymns as they present their messages. Sometimes, we just listen to music as we relax and spend time together. We also have regular “Rockin with the Oldies” exercise classes, which are set to songs from the 50s and 60s. You can often find us singing and dancing up and down the hallways, too!

Does our music program sound like a Rockin good time? Schedule your tour today to see if The Paragon could be a good fit for you.

References Mottaghi , R., Kamkar, A., & Mardpoor, A. (2015). The effectiveness of targeted music therapy intervention and cognitive ... Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Reza-Mottaghi/publication/344971234_The_Effectiveness_of_Targeted_Music_Therapy_Intervention_and_Cognitive-Behavioral_Therapy_on_Sleep_Quality_and_Symptoms_of_Insomnia_Disorder_in_seniors/links/620fdfcb08bee946f38b33b5/The-Effectiveness-of-Targeted-Music-Therapy-Intervention-and-Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy-on-Sleep-Quality-and-Symptoms-of-Insomnia-Disorder-in-seniors.pdf

Pinson, J. (2013). Involving senior citizens in Group Music therapy. Jessica Kingsley.