Blog

Tips For Caregivers: Using Music To Invoke Emotions and Memories

March 30, 2022
Andy Khokhar
Music is a global language that can elicit emotions even when you least expect it. A piece of familiar music may get your feet tapping, your body dancing, and memories flooding back. Music, according to in-home caregivers, often reveals buried riches in the brains of dementia or Alzheimer's patients. However, music therapy should not be confined to only those with cognitive issues. The therapy has also been shown to lessen and eliminate pain in both acute and chronic pain sufferers.

Caregivers like encouraging seniors who have opted to age in place to participate in any musical event. Although your parent may like going to a concert or even singing, if they are housebound, there are services that will come to them or transport them to these activities. Music is also being employed in physical and occupational therapy programs, where studies show that elders perform better and recover quicker.

Your parent may find it difficult to communicate with you, your family, and friends in the same way they did before. Music, on the other hand, often starts a conversation that brings life back into a world that is more comfortable for them. Caregivers don't know why this works, but they've witnessed the elderly react, if just for a few seconds of a song or two. The music inspires toe-tapping, hand-clapping, and recollection of the words or a memory associated with that song.

Music, according to caregivers, has even started talks when mom or dad would usually just grunt or sigh. Using yesterday's noises to break through and improve your parent's life is a natural activity to share and enjoy together. Contact our agency online or by calling (386) 233-9009 for additional in-home care ideas and tactics, or for help obtaining in-place at home.