Throughout history, music has been a source of comfort for people of all generations, young and old. Mothers have been singing lullabies to soothe babies to sleep since the beginning of time. Operas and concertos have appeased classical music crowds for centuries.

And according to the University Hospitals of Cleveland, music therapy in the U.S. officially began during WWI and WWII. Music was used in Veterans Administration Hospitals as an intervention to address traumatic war injuries.

“Numerous doctors and nurses witnessed the effect music had on veterans’ psychological, physiological, cognitive, and emotional state,” says the hospital. “Since then, colleges and universities developed programs to train musicians how to use music for therapeutic purposes.”

On the forefront of the music therapy movement is the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), whose studies have shown music therapy can be effective in helping with the aging process, especially within the Alzheimer’s population. Music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address patients’ physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs.

“Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients’ abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives,” says the AMTA. “Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words.”

The AMTA, whose purpose is the progressive development of the therapeutic use of music in rehabilitation, special education, and community settings, says music therapy can be effective in many ways. Those include overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people’s motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings through creating, singing, moving to, and listening to music.

“The enjoyment that stems from listening to and participating in the art of music is universal,” says Great Care Founder and CEO Julie Sullivan. “We’ve especially seen the positive impact music can have as our Great Care professionals work with seniors requiring in-home care. Music certainly makes the world go around, and we can see that in our elder care.”

Specifically, the AMTA says music therapy helps with:

• Memory recall which contributes to reminiscence and satisfaction with life
• Positive changes in mood and emotional states
• Sense of control over life through successful experiences
• Awareness of self and environment which accompanies increased attention to music • Anxiety and stress reduction for older adult and caregiver
• Nonpharmacological management of pain and discomfort
• Stimulation which provokes interest even when no other approach is effective
• Structure which promotes rhythmic and continuous movement or vocal fluency as an adjunct to physical rehabilitation
• Emotional intimacy when spouses and families share creative music experiences
• Social interaction with caregivers and families

For more information on music therapy in helping your parent or loved one, visit http://www.musictherapy.org.

The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information.