HC4S

Apr 12, 20222 min

How Music Benefits Seniors

Benefits of Listening to Music

Listening to music can be beneficial mentally, physically, and spiritually. It can help with reducing anxiety and stress, lower blood pressure, heart rate, pain, and cortisol levels, improve sleep quality and quality of life, mental alertness, mood, motivation, cognitive performance, and memory, promote social interaction, physical exercise, and relieve boredom, and calm nervousness.

Another benefit of listening to music is that it has a positive correlation to the amount of time a person exercises. A study conducted in the UK studied the performance of three groups walking on a treadmill until they were tired. Group one listened to motivational music, group two listened to non-motivational music, and group three didn’t listen to any music. Researchers found that motivational music had a positive effect on exercising longer than the group with no music.

Exercise can become difficult for seniors as they age and music is one way that can not only motivate them but boost their mood as well.

Benefits of Playing an Instrument

Playing an instrument can trigger the creative side of the brain, boost one self-confidence and immune system, reduce stress, increase brain function, reading, motor (reaction time), and listening skills, memory, patience, perseverance, time management, and discipline.

Playing an instrument can also promote social interaction. Want to share with others, engage, connect, and express yourself with others.

Easy Musical Instruments for Seniors to Learn

  1. Bells

  2. Cymbals

  3. Drums

    1. Bongo Drums

    2. Snare Drums

    3. Djembe Drums

    4. Bass Drum

    5. Congas Drums

  4. Gong

  5. Harmonica

  6. Maracas

  7. Pan Flute

  8. Piano

  9. Recorder

  10. Tambourine

  11. Triangle

  12. Xylophone

How Can Seniors Incorporate Music Into Their Daily Lives?

Cell Phone

Tablet

iPod

Laptop

Desktop

There are many apps available to download including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Soundcloud, Amazon Music, YouTube, Deezer, iHeart Radio, SiriusXM, Napster, TuneIn, Spinrilla, etc.

These apps can all be downloaded on any of the above electronics.

Alexa

Hands-free option for seniors to easily play music. Alexa can be connected to various apps so you can play your music anytime.

When Should Seniors Listen to Music?

Anytime! Listen to music whenever you feel is appropriate.

Listen to Music While Doing a Task

  • Cleaning

  • Sitting on the front or back patio/porch

  • Gardening

  • Going for a walk

  • Exercising

Listen to Music to Relieve Stress

  • Sitting on the couch

  • Laying in bed

  • Before going to sleep

  • Meditation

  • With a group of friends

Listen to Music to Boost Your Mood

  • Family Gathering

  • Social Gathering

  • Game Night

  • Girls Night

  • Holiday

  • Celebration

  • Physical Exercise

Listen or Play Music to Promote Social Interaction

  • Church

  • Jazz Lounge

  • Restaurants

  • Concerts

  • Festivals

In a Nut Shell: Benefits of Music for Seniors

  • Motivation for seniors to exercise (walk, jog, dance, stretch, etc.)

  • Reduces anxiety or stress that seniors may have

  • Reduces blood pressure

  • Reduces heart rate

  • Reduces pain

  • Decreases boredom

  • Decreases recovery time

  • Increases the feeling of satisfaction

  • Improves health by enhancing mood

  • Improves quality of life for seniors

  • Improves quality of sleep, whether it is listening to music during the day or listening to it to fall asleep

  • Improves memory

  • Improves social interaction

  • Improves mental alertness

  • Improves immune function

  • Improves mobility and coordination

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