Music therapy is a powerful tool that has been used to benefit seniors living with dementia and their family members for many years. It involves using music–such as singing, playing instruments, or listening to recorded melodies—to help decrease feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety, and stress associated with dementia and other memory struggles.
Incorporating music into activities designed specifically for the senior's care plan can lead to enhanced quality of life.
What Exactly Does Music Therapy Entail?
Music-based sessions can include a variety of aspects. The goal is to find the options that work best for the individual. Music therapy may include:
- Listening to favorite songs to calm stressful feelings
- Improvisation and guided singing of a few words from record playlists
- Playing an instrument, either alone or in a group setting
- Making rhythm by clapping hands or waving scarves during instrumental melodies
There are even programs on computers that use auditory processing methods to help seniors enhance their cognitive functions while enjoying classical favorites.
How Does Music Therapy Benefit a Senior With Dementia?
Music therapy can be an effective bridge toward improved health and quality of life for seniors living with dementia. It can help reduce anxiety and stress, encourage communication between family members, enhance socialization skills, and improve overall mood. Additionally, some studies suggest that music therapy can have neurological benefits. This includes improving cognitive functioning by stimulating synapses in the brain which are unaffected by typical treatments.
Learning to Access Music Therapy Services
The best place to start when looking for music therapy services for seniors with dementia is by having a conversation with the senior's doctor. In some cases, it may be possible to take part in online sessions, or there could be physical meetups. It depends on the senior's comfort level and ability to travel.
Senior living communities may also host group music experiences for seniors and their families who want to experience the therapeutic advantages of melodies together. Try searching online for music therapists in your area, or find local organizations, such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, that offer free sessions.
Is There Funding Available?
In some cases, music therapy may be eligible for partial or full reimbursement through Medicare, Medicaid, specialty organizations specializing in Alzheimer's care, or even private insurers. You can also find applications supplied by local governments which provide home health services and supplemental benefit programs.
It may take a little research on your part. However, there are many options out there so money does not have to be a deterring factor. You can also speak with your senior relative's primary care physician to see if they know of any options. They may have helped others with similar findings in the past and have resources at the ready.
Reach Out to Senior Helpers Greater Philadelphia
Living with dementia can be a challenging experience, both for seniors and their families. At Senior Helpers Greater Philadelphia, we specialize in providing customized care programs to individuals living with memory loss. We can help enhance the quality of life through personalized service options in Elkins Park, Philadelphia, Cheltenham, and Wynnewood areas.
Our knowledgeable caregivers will work with each family's unique circumstance to create an individualized plan specifically designed for the senior—including music therapy if desired. If you have questions about how our team can help make life easier for seniors faced with a complex condition like dementia or Alzheimer's disease, please contact us today. We would love nothing more than to help!