The Power of Music in Aged Care

When you hear a song from your favourite band from your 20’s, from your wedding day or special time in your life, what does it do for you? Does it take you back to that moment and help you remember the day or time in your life? More and more research is showing that music can have a range of benefits when used in aged care.

The benefits of music for aged care residents

Music is a powerful tool that can be used to evoke memories and can have a positive impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of aged care residents. Research has revealed that music stimulates more parts of the brain than any other human function, from emotional and memory centers to movement.

Studies have shown that listening to music, or being involved with musical activities can help with memory function, mood and communication. Music encourages residents to remain active, reduces symptoms such as memory loss, depression and anxiety and can even alter physiological responses such as heart rate and breathing.

How HillView Aged Care is bringing music to residents

HillView offer a range of activities that bring music to their residents.

These include:

• Daily exercises to music
• Weekly concerts with singing
• Concerts by visiting school groups
• Their resident beauty therapist Yuki playing the harp, guitar and piano throughout each month

Yuki plays the piano, harp and nylon string guitar for residents – both in public areas and within their private rooms.

“The most soothing instrument is definitely the harp. When I go and play to residents I can see the music brighten up their faces” she said, “one woman I played to had Parkinson’s and wasn’t able to speak, but you could see the music moving her emotionally and she had tears in her eyes.”

While listening to Yuki play the harp, resident Annette moved her hand to the music and recalled back to her time in Sydney.

“I was so happy when she came in to play to me, I used to listen a long time ago in Sydney. I’ve loved every song and hymn she has played, it has been just beautiful.” Annette said.

Find out more about HillView Aged Care.