There’s no denying the power of music. It can make us smile or cry. Itinspires usto dance and move. It connects us and is the soundtrack to many important moments in our lives.
And research shows, music is also a powerful medicine—especially for older adults who are battling a variety of illnesses.
“Music holds the power to increase dopamine levels (happy hormones), decrease symptoms of depression and pain and improve a person’s quality of life,” said Tammy Reiver, a music therapy coordinator for横幅临终关怀in Phoenix, AZ. “Pleasing music plays an important role at every age, but for aging adults, the benefits are even greater.”
Read on to learn more about the positive role music can play in older adults’ and their caregivers’ lives and how to incorporate it into everyday living.
音乐和大脑
Research has shown that music literally does something to our brains. “Music and responses to music are found in all areas of the brain,” Reiver said. “It can参与思想and evoke emotions.”
Some studies have shown that actively and passively listening to music can improve:
- Cognitive skillsand abilities
- Working memory
- 识别记忆
根据National Institutes of Health, music has the power to evoke strong positive emotions and elevate your mood. Music can lower your body’s level of cortisol, a hormone that can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety. It can also trigger other chemical reactions in the brain, stimulating positive feelings.
音乐，疾病与疾病
For aging adults who have age-related memory issues—such asAlzheimer’s disease, dementia或者帕金森氏病—music has the power to actually bring back memories, slow age-related cognitive decline and improve cognitive processing speed.
“When one area of our brain is affected by illness or injury, music cognition remains and the other areas of our brain continue to respond,” Reiver said. “Researchalso shows that our brain waves automatically synchronize with the music we’re listening to.”
Music is also excellent for people with Alzheimer’s, because it encourages engagement with the present. “Even if they can’t remember current events, Alzheimer’s patients can often move along with a beat and sing lyrics of familiar songs,” said Kristin Fray, a music therapy coordinator for Banner Hospice. “Music brings back memories and it provides mood uplift. It creates a way to interact with loved ones who may be unable to express themselves.”
For those battling cancer, music can减轻焦虑，抑郁，疼痛和疲劳。它可以帮助他们放松和处理癌症治疗方法。Research已经表明，声音还刺激了我们大脑使用的相同神经递质来发送疼痛的感觉。当两者在同一时刻发生时，疼痛可能不会那么强烈。
音乐和照顾者
Few people experience age-related disease or illness alone. It’s also experienced by those who love and care for them. Music can have apowerful effecton caregivers as well.
“Music opens up channels for communication and interaction,” Reiver said. “For families and caregivers, music can provide for togetherness, shared positive experiences and facilitate closure and acceptance.”
音乐还可以为家庭成员和看护人提供时间休息时间，尤其是对于那些家庭成员caregivers。里弗说：“有时成为家庭成员和照料者的'双重角色'在精神上和身体上可能会疲惫。”“音乐给时间休息和放松。”
将音乐注入您的日常生活中
老年人和看护人可以从音乐中受益匪浅，这是您可以在家中融合并与社区互动的容易的事。弗雷（Fray）分享了一些有关老龄化成年人及其护理人员的有用技巧：
- Join a music group with a loved one. There are choirs for those with帕金森氏病, dementia and cancer and for癌症幸存者。
- 如果您有宗教传统，请考虑参加宗教服务以唱精神赞美诗和歌曲。
- 在一天中的某些时候播放音乐，以刺激心情。
- For someone with Alzheimer’s disease, there are many ways to integrate music into their life.
- Choose music they enjoyed as a teenager.
- Encourage a loved one who previously played an instrument to try it again.
- Watch a recording of a concert.
- 一起唱歌，跳舞并一起转向音乐，以增强能量。
- 晚上放松音乐，以促进平静过渡到睡前。
作家汉斯·克里斯蒂安·安德森（Hans Christian Andersen）说：“在言语失败的地方，音乐会说话。”音乐确实是我们生活中的强大工具，但是随着年龄的增长，音乐可能会特别影响。即使您所爱的人的话语或记忆失败，您也可以通过音乐的力量找到并互相交谈。
To learn more about caregiver support programs at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Banner Sun Health Research Institute, visitbanneralz.org。
Related articles:
- 护理和痴呆：导致模棱两可的损失和悲伤
- 5 Simple Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp as You Age
- 护理精神疾病的高级亲人的7种方法
- Tips for Coping with Sundowner’s Syndrome
