[I'm happy to welcome a guest writer to my blog. Lydia Chan from Alzheimer's Caregiver has some good practical advice for anyone eligible for AARP, whether you think you have Alzheimer's, may be worried about "senior moments,' or just want to find a reason to get out of your chair. I don't know the happy fellow above but he looks to be about my age.]

by Lydia Chan

For seniors with dementia or the beginning stages of this profoundly stressful disease, it can sometimes be a struggle to enjoy life’s small pleasures and find a balance in your day-to-day existence. But could music be the answer to the struggles of seniors and their caretakers? As the universal language, could music transcend the unknown and help us understand each other’s needs in a more complete way?

Scientists, therapists, and caregivers all seem to think so. Research on the connection between music and dementia shows that music can improve memory, reduce symptoms of depression, and decrease stress levels, among other important things.

This advice is for both seniors and the people who care for them. Let’s take a look at how seniors can incorporate more music into their lives and stave off the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia for a little while longer:

Use technology to your advantage

If you or your caregivers have access to smart technology, it can be easy to set musical timers to go off throughout the day. Maybe you can have a 2 p.m. solo dance session, or you can wake up from a nap to a nice relaxing piano song. It’s clear that music can bring mental and emotional health benefits to seniors’ lives, according to recent research. Essentially, music activates many regions in the brain and can have an impact on the kinds of things you remember and the kinds of activities you can do. Therefore, older citizens who have early-stage dementia can use music to their advantage in this way, too.

Something else to think about: Do you have an effective listening station setup? Depending on how much space you have, a soundbar can be a great option — larger speakers could take up too much room in a smaller apartment or home. You can get high-quality sound from soundbars, not to mention they can be easily affordable. This would be another great way to get some music in your life — because it becomes accessible!

Virtual live performances

Especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a lot of opportunities for folks to experience virtual concertsand performances. Senior citizens can get their caregivers to help them experience these kinds of activities since music can lead to better learning and more opportunities for them to improve their mental and physical health.

Take dance lessons

Now here is something that knocks two things out at once: Learning how to dance can improve both your physical and mental health. Dancing is a great form of exercise, not to mention a way for you to gain the mental health benefits of adding music to your life. Dancing has also been proven to be a great way to stave off the effects of dementia. According to a study conducted by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, adults who dance regularly had a 76 percent reduced risk for having dementia. Exercise, mental strength, and memory reinforcement are only a few of the benefits of dance and music, but they are some of the most important.

Live, love, dance, listen to more music

If you incorporate all of these things into your everyday life, you will have more of a handle on your dementia and will have a better outlook on life since music will help improve your mood. Would you like to learn more about how music can shape your life and improve your mental health? Visit the blog of neurologist Carl Ellenberger for more information about how music can change your brain.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels