Page 4 - Bella Vista Gardens Newsletter Summer 2019_Final

4 BELLA VISTA NEWS, SUMMER 2019
Health & Wellbeing

The Power of Music

Music plays an important role in life for people of all professionals help seniors increase activity at a safe and
ages, forging connections to pivotal events and fond beneficial pace.
memories. Research has found that music can promote
relaxation, improve productivity and lower stress. Improving Memory
For seniors, pleasing melodies can deliver even more Music therapy can increase brain chemicals that arouse
benefits for physical and mental health, memory and positive feelings in people diagnosed with dementia,
important social connections. experts say. If you have a loved one who suffers from
dementia, you may have noticed that music lift their
Promoting Overall Wellness spirits and even transform their entire demeanour.
Music has the power to stimulate feelings of wellbeing
by evoking powerful memories and emotions. Seniors Decreasing Isolation
who have trouble remembering recent events may find For some seniors, a variety of health problems can make
meaning in songs that bring back older memories, and communication more difficult as we age. The resulting
experts note that music can improve a person with isolation can increase health risks — and shorten life
dementia’s quality of life. For many seniors in aged spans. In many cases, music opens up avenues of
care, music provides benefits, including lessening of communication that otherwise may not be available.
pain and discomfort without the use of medication, Research has demonstrated that listening to music on a
improved ability to remember recent events, positive regular basis can enhance communication for people with
changes in mood and an increased sense of self‐ dementia by improving cognition and language abilities.
sufficiency. Music‐related activities in aged care — including dancing,
singing, playing musical instruments, listening to music
Encouraging Exercise and watching musical performances — can spark
Music can be highly motivating during any type of discussions that improve connections with friends and
exercise, including walking, dancing, stretching and family members.
working out with weights. The right music plays an
important role in encouraging seniors to get more The Transformative Power of Music
physical activity, which can help maintain On a daily basis, seniors in aged care benefit from music
independence and restore function lost due to injuries that boosts moods, encourages exercise, discourages
or illnesses. Seniors of all ages and fitness levels can isolation and promotes overall mental and physical
benefit from an increase in movement, which helps health. By using the power of music, you may improve
improve muscle strength, flexibility, heart health, bone communication with your loved one and share joyful
density and balance. By choosing appropriate music for moments together.
various types of physical activities, aged care Source; https://eldercarealliance.org/blog/can‐music‐benefit‐seniors‐