Music therapy has long been used to treat a range of different problems and symptoms, one of its most prominent being mental health in aged care. It’s a research-based therapy in which music is used to treat and support quality of life, health, and mental well-being. Anybody can benefit from music therapy, but it has been proven to yield results for individuals suffering from mental health and wellbeing issues such as depression, confusion, cognitive decline, and stress.
Unfortunately, depression is extremely common in Australia. One of the most affected age groups is over 65’s, with at least 10-15% of this bracket currently suffering from depression. These figures increase when people living in aged care facilities are considered, with a shocking 30% of these residents estimated to be struggling with depression. Unfortunately, symptoms of depression regularly go unnoticed in elderly, as the most common symptoms are mood changes, sleep, and appetite problems. Mental health struggles in aged care are only on the rise with isolation due to the global pandemic.
As the number of elderly Australians suffering from depression increases, the need for different avenues to treat depression also increases. While psychologist and psychiatrist visits are one of the most common treatments, there are other available treatments which are more accessible. Music therapy has proven to be a reliable source of treating depression. One study compared the benefits of music therapy with traditional therapy and found that a large amount of participants highly-valued the music therapy. Additionally, they also reported fewer adverse effects to the music therapy than traditional therapy.
The treatment for stress and anxiety through music therapy works similarly to that of depression. It’s estimated that 2 in 10 people over the age of 70 and living in aged care experience anxiety or high levels of stress. High levels of stress can be detrimental to the body in many different ways. It can cause weight loss, reduced appetite, increased blood pressure and in some extreme cases even cause heart disease. All these symptoms could be potentially life threatening to somebody who is elderly. Treating stress, anxiety, and mental health in aged care is very important, and music therapy has been shown to reduce these feelings and increase those of happiness and euphoria. Using services such as Silver Memories to play age-appropriate and nostalgic music to those living in aged care or isolated situations can aid in them feeling comfortable and encourage positive memories.
Perhaps one of the more widely known benefits of music therapy is that of its positive effect on dementia patients and those suffering from cognitive decline. When playing age appropriate music, studies have shown that patients experience reconnection with some memories and can connect with loved ones. The music helps to awaken a part of the brain that is not directly affected by the dementia and the mood changes can last anywhere up to several hours. While results will differ depending on the severity of cognitive decline, some form of success is almost always found. Music therapy doesn’t have to be only used on dementia patients. It can also provide positive benefits to those suffering from confusion, disorientation or any cognitive decline that is associated with ageing.
To learn more about the benefits of music reminiscence therapy on mental health and wellbeing in elderly, contact Silver Memories today.
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