Listening to music can provide aging adults with many emotional, mental, and physical advantages, even as the disease progresses. Your elderly parent can benefit from listening to a song, playing an instrument, or dancing along to a favourite tune. Below are some of the reasons seniors with Alzheimer’s should incorporate music into their daily lives.
1. Triggers Memories
Because music memory remains relatively undamaged even in the late stages of Alzheimer’s, older adults often connect people, places, and past events to specific songs or artists. As a result, listening to music could trigger memories and boost your loved one’s cognitive abilities. Encourage your parent to listen to music throughout the day, especially when he or she is having difficulty remembering familiar people and actions.
2. Increases Communication
Forming complete sentences is a common challenge among seniors with Alzheimer’s, but music gives them an alternative tool for communicating. They can use the words and emotions depicted in songs to describe how they’re feeling to family caregivers, especially if they’re unable to speak due to language problems and cognitive impairment.
Without the right assistance, Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors and their families to handle. If you’re looking for professional Alzheimer’s care, Barrie Home Care Assistance provides high-quality care aging adults and their families can count on. All of our hourly and live-in caregivers are trained to help seniors with Alzheimer’s live happier and healthier lives, and we also provide specialized dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
3. Reduces Repetitive Behaviour
Alzheimer’s causes brain cell deterioration in older adults, often causing them to repeat questions and actions. The repetition can be frustrating for family caregivers, so they should look for ways to help their loved ones reduce the behaviour. Listening to music can provide something pleasant to focus on instead of the repetitive motion or activity.
4. Keeps Seniors Active
Dancing to songs and playing musical instruments provide seniors with physical benefits that increase mobility and enhance mood. The brain damage associated with Alzheimer’s makes it difficult to maintain balance and coordination, but playing or moving along to the beat of the music can strengthen fine motor skills and lower the risk of slips, falls, and various traumas.
5. Stimulates the Mind
Sensory stimulation is essential for seniors because it slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. When older adults listen to music, they receive cognitive stimulation that can boost function in all their senses, including taste, smell, sight, touch, and hearing. As a result, they may not face as much difficulty with mealtimes due to the ability to remember specific tastes. Mental stimulation could also reduce the risk of hallucinations, agitation, and restlessness. Dancing to the music can boost emotional health and lead to hugs and touches that increase the sense of security.
A professional caregiver with training and experience in cognitive stimulation can be a wonderful resource for a senior with Alzheimer’s. Though you may be researching multiple agencies that provide elderly home care, Home Care Assistance has much to offer your family and your elderly loved one. We are leaders in the senior home care industry, offering proprietary programs like our holistic Balanced Care Method and around-the-clock assistance from reliable, experienced caregivers. Trust Home Care Assistance to help your loved one enjoy a happier and healthier life in the golden years.
6. Enhances Sleep Quality
Poor sleep quality and wandering are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. However, listening to music can calm your loved one down and prevent feelings of agitation and anxiety that often lead to restless nights. Play soft, soothing music before your loved one takes a bath at night to ease into his or her bedtime routine. Good sleep quality can boost cognitive health and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Barrie Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call at 647-970-3803 today.