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Use Music to Help Your Senior Parent

I love music.

It makes me feel good about myself. The rhythms make a difference with my heart beat and help keep me focused.

I can’t imagine life without music.

—Kathi, resident of The Arbors at Greenfield

Everyone loves music. Music has the power to:

  • Improve visual and verbal skills
  • Preserve brain health
  • Increase happiness
  • Strengthen the heart
  • Lower pulse and blood pressure
  • Improve sleep quality
  • Boost your immune system
  • Reduce pain
  • Alleviate depression and anxiety

Listening to Music Makes Life Better for Seniors

For seniors, music does even more.

Exercising to music increases balance and reduces the risk of falling. People with Parkinson’s walk better when they hear music. Rhythmic music can also improve the gait of people who’ve had strokes, as well as those with late-stage dementia.

Music increases communication and reduces agitation in those with dementia. Studies show that music boosts recall and memory for everyone. It also enhances cognitive abilities.

“My mom had Alzheimer’s. Towards the end, she would be sleeping and one person that would visit her would sing her favorite hymn, ‘In The Garden’, and she would sort of wake up and start singing it.”

—Susan, The Arbors at Greenfield.

Listening to music increases social interaction, which is often a problem for older people who may not get out as much. Studies indicate the training your mind and body go through for musical comprehension is the same as that for speech and verbal skills

Research has shown that listening to music increases self-esteem and improves mood.

Playing Mozart for epileptic patients quietens the electrical activity associated with seizures.

“Neurologically and chemically, music changes your system. Hormones—like dopamine, which helps us feel good, and serotonin, which can help us relax—are released into our system,” says Evaline, a music teacher whose mother, also a music teacher, lives at The Arbors at Greenfield

“Music changes brain waves, especially in the area of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s. It can be a communal activity, whether you’re listening to the music or performing it. Music can help you put more effort into exercise. It can also reduce stress help you fall asleep,” Evaline adds.

Playing Music Provides Added Benefits

Playing music provides even more advantages in thinking, memory, productivity, mobility, coordination, creativity, and stress relief than listening.

Alicia Clair, professor emeritus of music therapy at the University of Kansas, says playing instruments helps with socialization, a key factor in maintaining the health of older adults. “They can get people to play together who can’t even talk to one another,” she said. “It allows them to build community — with each other and with family members.”

Instruments don’t have to be complicated to produce results. Seniors can use a drum or other percussion instrument and reap many of the same benefits as playing the piano. Other easy-to-play instruments include the harmonica, kazoo, pianica, recorder, Irish or pennywhistle and, last but not least, your voice.

Help Your Parent with Music

How can you use music to improve your parent’s life?

  • Add music to their life. Make music easily accessible by purchasing a clock radio and using the music “alarm” to play music at set times during the day. Sing or play music while you’re preparing dinner or doing chores and encourage your parent to join you.
  • Play music from their past. You don’t have to go out and buy music; instead, try Pandora. There are also videos with music on YouTube.
  • Turn on some music and dance with your parent. It will make both of you feel better!
  • Buy a couple drums or other musical instruments and play them with your parent.
  • Attend free concerts. Most towns host free concerts. Bring your parent along, and both of you can enjoy the music and socialization.
  • Use music as a background to their life. Classical music doesn’t interfere with thoughts and can improve your parent’s cognition and stress levels. Try playing it in the background all day.

The Arbors Uses Music Therapy

The Arbors Assisted Living Residential Communities incorporate music into all aspects of life.

“Every one of our buildings has a music program. We do music social weekly and wrap them around many different themes,” says Pattie Ricketts, Regional Reflections Program and activity director. “Our Amherst site actually has residents and volunteers that run their own music socials. Music programs are very popular with the senior population.”

 

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Having “The Talk” With Your Parent: It’s Time for Assisted Living
Talking to your aging parent about moving to an assisted living community isn’t easy.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-The Challenges of Aging: How to Handle Your Aging Parent’s Difficult BehaviorsDifficult behaviors in elderly adults are very common. They may be an expression of frustration your loved one feels or a symptom of early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Becoming a Family Caregiver: What You Need to Know Before Deciding to Take Care of a Loved One
Becoming a family caregiver can be a rewarding experience. It also has its challenges.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Helping Your Parent Manage DepressionIs your parent or loved one depressed, or just in a bad mood?

What does medication and illness have to do with depression?

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Is It Depression? A Guide to Identifying and Addressing Depression in Aging AdultsHas your aging parent recently lost interest in activities they used to enjoy? Have you noticed a change in their mood and behavior?

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Why We Chose the Arbors Assisted Living and Memory Care: A Collection of Stories from Residents Living at The ArborsWhere do you start searching for assisted living or memory care communities?

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-7 Warning Signs It’s Time to Make the Move to Assisted Living
Has your dad stopped getting together for lunches or outings with friends or visits with neighbors? Have you stopped enjoying time with your parents because you’re a caregiver?

Choosing an assisted living community is a big decision. Learn how to find the right one for you and your loved one.


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Guide-Getting Your Affairs in Order
No one ever plans to be sick or disabled, and disasters, man-made or natural, can happen at any time, anywhere.

Yet older adults are among the most vulnerable during a crisis. That’s why it’s critical that seniors, and those who care for them, prepare for emergencies.


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Guide-Guide to Making the Move to Assisted Living
Moving to assisted living is a life-changing event.

This guide provides tips and ideas on downsizing, what to pack and how to make the transition smooth for your senior parent.


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Guide-Solutions to Common Caregiving ChallengesIn this eBook, you’ll learn how to talk with family and friends about caregiving challenges, how to deal with a parent who is resistant to help, how to get more caregiving help from your siblings, and how to keep your job while caregiving.


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How Moving My Loved One to The Arbors Eliminated My Caregiving ChallengesHave you had to cut back your hours at work to care for your mom? Are you worried about administering medications or injections?

Have you stopped getting together with friends, either because you don’t have the time or you’re too exhausted? Are you becoming the invisible second patient?


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Guide-When is the Right Time for Memory Care?In this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the early symptoms of dementia; the seven stages of dementia and the symptoms that typically accompany each one; and the signs it’s time to start exploring your memory care options.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-What to Look for in a Memory Care CommunityIn this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between assisted living and memory care, how healthcare professionals are trained in dementia care, common features of a memory care community, and questions you should ask when exploring your memory care options.


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Guide-Brothers and Sisters
Navigating adult sibling relationships can be a challenge, but coming together for the sake of your parent is important.

In this guide, you’ll learn about common sibling conflicts that arise when caring for parents, strategies for getting siblings on board, and where to turn to for help.


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Guide-The StandoffAssisted living can be a touchy subject. No matter how you approach it, your parent is likely to have objections to something.

As you help them transition to a new stage of life, it helps to be prepared with answers to their questions and concerns.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-11 Most Common Caregiving Challenges
A Guide to the Most Common Family Caregiver Challenges Associated with Caring for an Aging Parent.

You’ll learn about the true costs of being a family caregiver, common family conflicts that can occur when caring for parents, and some of the unexpected challenges of caregiving.


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Guide-Checklist_ Questions to Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Community
This checklist will help to make sure you are getting the most out of your visit to The Arbors.

The list details what important questions to ask during your visit so you are able to make an enlightened choice and find the best assisted living community for your needs.

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Guide-What is Assisted Living Really LikeIf you’re unsure what Assisted Living looks like in real life, whether there is a difference with nursing homes or a desire to see how community life unfolds, then this guide is exactly what you need.

A guide to discover the Care Team and a Typical Day in Assisted Living.

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You’re probably wondering how much the different senior living options compare to your current situation.
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