As people age, the body’s natural processes begin to slow, and the brain is often most affected by this shift. Fortunately, music can provide significant brain-boosting benefits for seniors—a critical component of Alzheimer's care and other treatments. Here’s some fascinating insight into how music can benefit seniors.

3 Advantages of Music on the Aging Brain

1. Improve Brain Function

Music gives your mind a mental workout. Since it’s based on relationships between one note and the next, it doesn’t follow one fixed path in the brain. Instead, it relays information back and forth, flexing your comprehension muscles and encouraging your mind to do the necessary computing. This can significantly improve brain function in the elderly. The positive results include a longer attention span, higher brain processing speed, enhanced motor skills, and more efficient executive functioning.

2. Jump-Start Your Memory

As the brain ages, memories can often fade along with it. Music has a powerful ability to jump-start the mind and the memory, making it a significant component of Alzheimer's care. Something as simple as listening to a favorite song from your wedding day, for example, can bring you back to that moment in time. In recalling memory, music can also allow us to remember details and feelings from a specific moment. When Alzheimer’s patients were given a memory test after listening to classical music, the effects revealed a noticeable improvement.

3. Reduce Feelings of Pain

In addition to boosting mood, music can reduce feelings associated with pain. This is because music triggers the part of the brain that releases dopamine, the feel-good neurochemical. This part of the brain is closely linked with the pleasure-reward system. In another study, seniors with fibromyalgia experienced pain reduction as well as reduced depressive symptoms after listening to music.

The benefits of music for seniors cannot be understated, particularly as it relates to Alzheimer’s care. If you or a loved one needs senior care, trust The Vineyards at Concord in Frankfort, OH. As a proud member of the Ohio Health Care Association, this assisted living facility specializes in everything from Alzheimer’s care to hospice and dementia care. To speak with a compassionate staff member about rehabilitation in their facility, call (740) 998-4779 today, or visit them online for more information.