Music Therapy

and older adults

Music therapy for older adults often takes place in the client's place of residence, be it a nursing home, assisted living facility, adult foster home, or hospital room. Sessions may also take place in senior centers and adult day care programs. Virtual therapy sessions are also now widely available.

Music Therapy can:

• Encourage attentiveness
• Facilitate critical thinking
• Facilitate long and
  short-term recall
• Facilitate reality
  orientation
• Maintain cognitive skills
• Promote concentration

• Decrease agitation
  and depression
• Encourage self-expression
• Facilitate reminiscence
  and life review
• Increase self-esteem
• Reduce anxiety
• Validate life experiences

• Enhance repetitive exercise
• Improve circulation
• Increase muscle strength
• Promote range of motion

• Establish social awareness
• Facilitate social interaction
• Restore functional speech

Music therapy is also an evidence-based treatment for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia.

Sources:

MTabc.com
MusicTherapy.org