Music has a complex effect on the brain. The auditory nerve has a direct contact to the “fight or flight” region of the brain known as the amygdala, and the immediate response to music is generally arousal. Think about how you feel when a favorite song comes on the radio. You can’t help but sing along, tap your toes, or even just close your eyes, engage and listen closely to the lyrics. It’s for this reason that research has been conducted regarding music and dementia. Music therapy programs have been implemented in senior living communities and care centers across the country due to the positive effects it has been shown to have on the brain, cognition and behaviors.
The Older Americans Act of 1992 defined music therapy as “the use of musical or rhythmic interventions specifically selected by a music therapist to accomplish the restoration, maintenance, or improvement of social or emotional functioning, mental processing, or physical health of an older individual.” In times of stress or sadness, music can boost one’s mood and bring comfort, while also evoking feelings of positivity and happiness. Music therapy is an innovative treatment for dementia with many benefits, and music therapists have noted amazing results when working with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Some of these main benefits include:
Find the compassionate memory support your loved one deserves at Advent Christian Village. Our professional, caring staff undergo specialized training to become Artists of Dementia Care, ensuring members enjoy a meaningful, vibrant life in a comfortable and secure setting. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a tour.
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