The elderly have a higher risk to suffer from Parkinson’s disease – a neurodegenerative disorder that can severely limit a person’s movement and mobility and may even cause dementia.
This progressive disorder causes issues with mobility and gets worse as the disease progresses. Luckily, music therapy can help to mitigate some of the physical struggles from Parkinson’s disease.
Improve Rhythm and Gait
Music-based movement (MbM) treatment can help restore a more normal rhythm and enhance gait-related activities by prompting the brain to respond to movement more effectively.
Rhythm is particularly crucial in rehabilitation because it strengthens the links between the motor and auditory systems.
Improve Speech and Communication
Dementia can make it difficult for people to talk properly and clearly, causing them to slur their words. This might be related to respiratory problems or difficulties with speech motor skills.
Singing therapy can help with this since it fosters better breath control by focusing on single syllables. If elderly people tap their hands or feet in response to music, this helps to enhance hand-eye-brain coordination and speech intelligibility.
Reduce Tremors
Those with Parkinson’s disease are sometimes unable to stop the tremors in their limbs, or involuntary movements, which is also known as dyskinesia. The strong urge to move may even disrupt sleep and relaxation. Listening to slow, rhythmic music may help to calm the body movements, and lull them into relaxation and sleep.
Improve Emotional Health
Emotional responses to listening to and playing music can actually increase the release of dopamine – the “feel-good” neurotransmitter (a chemical that carries information between neurons). Those with Parkinson’s often lack dopamine.
Engaging in music therapy helps them focus on the enjoyment of music, and of moving to music rather than think about their mobility limitations.
Reduce Psychological Symptoms
Music therapy can also assist with psychological symptoms of Parkinson’s disease including anxiety and moodiness, as well as sleep disturbances.
Depression and social isolation are common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in older people. Through group musical activities such as drumming, dancing, and singing, music therapy groups can help people feel more connected to others while also providing an opportunity for self-expression.
Tips on Music Therapy
Aside from music therapy groups, caregivers can also come up with their own programs for music therapy for the elderly.
- Put together a music playlist of their favorite songs.
- Have music easily accessible on the go – use a mobile phone, iPod, or even a portable CD player.
- Have activities and sing-along sessions daily and encourage the elderly with Parkinson’s to join in.
- Get them to play a musical instrument – even for the less mobile, they can use simple instruments like tambourine, wooden maracas, or a small set of bongo drums to follow the beat.
- If they’re mobile enough, encourage them to dance to their heart’s content.
- Use ambient or soft, soothing music for them to fall asleep to.
