Using Music With Older Adults During Covid-19

From infographic: Stay Well With Music During Covid-19: A guide to music for your older loved one. Hannah Pulver-Knowles, Rou Ma, and Qiqi Zhang. 2020

This infographic intended for public dissemination was designed by my classmates who are Masters of Music Therapy students at Temple University (Philadelphia, PA, USA).  JPG and PDF versions are at attached.

Purpose:

The infographic provides activity suggestions for using music with older adults for the purpose of:  cognitive stimulation, reminiscence, socialization, maintaining / strengthening relationships, exercise, emotional health, and quality of life.

Safety:

Music can bring back DIFFICULT memories or feelings so watch closely for evidence of agitation, sadness, fear, anxiety, grief, stc.

Background:

Research shows music stimulates memories which can help older adults reminisce or retrieve other memories. ***It can also bring back DIFFICULT memories or feelings so watch closely for evidence of agitation, sadness, fear, anxiety, grief, stc.

Research also demonstrates listener PREFERRED music can stimulate release of chemicals that improve mood (dopamine), reduce pain, reduce anxiety, and promote calm, relaxation, and sleep.

The body naturally moves to music - just watch young children! Moving to music is a great way to get some exercise which is another way to increase "feel good" (endorphines) brain chemicals. Exercising to music also reduces the amount of perceived effort.

And of course music is an import part of how humans socialize. Listening to, talking about, or making music with others helps us feel connected which is important for emotional health. Connecting with others promotes release of oxytocin, which in turn promotes closer bonding as well as relaxation.

Gives these activities a try!