Art and Music Therapy Benefits for Seniors

Mental health is an area of concern for seniors, counted among their biggest health risks. Life transitions, grief and loss, retirement from work, and diminished social opportunities can all contribute to new or exacerbated symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Families can support their elderly loved one with various tools and strategies, but when troubling symptoms persist, they may need treatment for a mental health condition. Besides discussing these with a licensed professional, families might consider targeted alternative therapies.

An Overview of Alternative Therapies

When we think therapy for senior citizens, we might first think of traditional talk therapy. While effective for many, it can be cost prohibitive and less accessible to seniors in rural areas or those who cannot easily leave home. It can also prove difficult for those with cognitive decline. This does not mean there is no recourse for your loved one, as there is a broad range of alternative therapies available that can be done alone or with others.

We will discuss a broader range of geriatric therapy options in another blog, but for now, let’s focus on the two most popular ones: art therapy and music therapy.

Art Therapy for Seniors

Art therapy is a popular alternative to talk therapy, particularly for individuals who have trouble articulating their experiences in words because of difficult emotions or cognitive issues. Art-focused elderly therapy activities employ accessible materials like watercolors or pastels, open-ended prompts, and a lot of room for the senior to be creative.

Though it seems simple, these activities allow the senior to access emotions and worries hiding under the surface, as well as memories. As a result, their artistic expression can be cathartic and illuminating, helping them work through hard experiences like loss. It can also be joyful, helping them feel like a kid again.

Some art therapy benefits include:

• Increased confidence as the senior tries something new. While some may be natural artists, many will need to risk trying something less familiar. Taking this risk and getting something positive from it is likely to increase both their self-esteem and sense of optimism.
• Stimulating cognitive function. Creating something requires a measure of thought, focus, and decision-making—all great to flex for keeping the mind sharp.
• Happier mood. Numerous studies on art therapy show that it boosts mood through a sense of productivity and play. It also provides an outlet for frustrations and sadness, helping to process difficult emotions. Furthermore, it can provide distraction from negative thoughts.
• Improved motor skills. Painting and drawing require concentrating on coordination and dexterity. They can also help reduce joint inflammation.
• Opportunities to socialize, when joining group therapy for seniors or all ages.

Some ways seniors can participate:

• Some community centers, senior centers, adult daycares, and houses of worship host art classes or art therapy groups. Regardless of the primary focus of the group, seniors can enjoy the benefits of art therapy through participation.
• If available, a licensed art therapist can guide the senior through exercises to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms and teach positive coping skills. Some of these professionals also host groups, which reduces cost.
• Art therapy can also be done alone at home with some low-cost art supplies and prompts from a book or a website/blog. They can also just paint or draw whatever they feel like from day to day, treating the exercise like a journal.
• Families can make art together, with prompts such as “paint your favorite pet” or “draw a scene from your life when you won something.” This is a great way for grandchildren to get to know their grandparents, or for children to learn something new about their parents.

Music Therapy for Seniors

Music and mental health benefits have a long and well-researched relationship. Like art therapy, music therapy presents an opportunity for expression that does not rely heavily on words and logical clarity; instead, it opens a window to feelings, memories, and emotional self-awareness. Memory in particular is affected by music, with songs bringing up memories even for seniors affected by dementia.

Music therapy can be done two main ways: by making music, or by listening to music.

Some music therapy benefits include:

• Positive feelings and mood-boosting. Whether it’s an old favorite or a fun, new discovery, the right songs can elicit positive emotions and change your outlook. This, in turn, has positive effects on blood pressure, chronic pain, muscle tension, and heart rate.
• Communication and expression for Alzheimer’s and other memory care patients. For elderly loved ones grappling with the loss that comes with dementia, music offers familiarity and “light bulb” moments, where beloved memories come rushing back. Memory care patients experience more joy and less agitation when listening to music that is meaningful to them.
• Cognitive function. Learning new songs or even learning to play a new instrument supports cognitive function in seniors. Remembering the lyrics to old, well-known songs also helps with maintaining recall.
• Self-reflection. Songs that are personal, spiritual, or religious in nature can mean a lot to seniors, and can aid in reflection and making meaning from life. This strongly supports mental health.
• Singing in a choir or playing in a band provides a sense of community—important for preventing isolation and loneliness. Even attending as an audience member contributes to a sense of togetherness.
• Senior dance parties, line dancing, and events like parades offer the chance to enjoy music while moving!

Some ways seniors can participate:

• As with art therapy, some senior centers etc. host music-focused social events. This also extends to choirs, orchestras, and other ensembles where seniors can enjoy music therapy benefits.
• If your elderly loved one once played an instrument, help them pick it up again! If health issues are a barrier, they may love learning a new instrument that is easier with challenges like arthritis, such as the harmonica, keyboard, or ukulele.
• Go to concerts and shows with them. Your town may have a college, symphony, or community theater with frequent opportunities to hear familiar music. Don’t miss out on municipal holiday celebrations, which are likely to feature music, too.
• In addition to their CD, record, or cassette player, introduce your elderly loved one to music apps, YouTube, and voice-activated AI that can play the music they love with minimal effort.
• Music therapists often work at hospitals, nursing homes, and palliative care programs. This may be worth looking into if you want to research one-on-one therapy for your elderly loved one.

Senior mental health is an important component of geriatric care, and there are many options that can be explored. If your loved one needs home care, our VetAssist mission is to make home care easily and quickly accessible for those who qualify through the VA Pension with Aid and Attendance benefit. Veterans Home Care can help you determine whether you or your loved one will be eligible to receive the benefit, which can cover some or all of the cost of home care, and we make it easy to apply. Chat with us via our website, or call us at (888) 314-6075.