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If music is the food of love, play on. This line from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night shows that music is interwoven into all elements of our lives. If love is enough to help the ones we love, then by extension, music can help us feed our loved ones’ minds, bodies, and souls.
Music therapy has been around for many years as a means to help individuals with their emotional wellness as well as their mental acuity. In recent years, this treatment method has seen results regarding memory loss.
Memories are stored within our minds in connection to specific images or sounds. Therefore, music helps to open the door to long-hidden moments for those living with memory loss.
Everyone can benefit from some downtime with music. Whether they get it from playing an instrument, singing songs alone or in a group, or listening to their favorite tunes, it all has positive effects on their lives.
Music has proven to provide benefits between generations and cultures through the connections made. After all, most people in the world can say they know of artists such as The Beatles, Elvis, or even more recently, Taylor Swift. When we listen to music, we understand each other more clearly.
The one group that benefits from music the most are older adults, especially ones who have memory loss conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. These positive outcomes are numerous and give these individuals a new spark for life.
One of the reasons people tend to become more depressed as they age is directly related to their ability to recall specific memories. The harder time they have recalling information that previously came easily to them, the more frustrated they are with life.
Adding music to their daily therapy could assist with memory loss. This is because the spoken language center of the brain is different from the visual image center.
Not only that, music releases endorphins that create more positive emotions within seniors. This gives them a better chance of getting through each day with less stress, less depression, and more motivation to participate.
By ensuring your loved one has moments where music that is meaningful to them is played, you are ensuring they will have more progress with their memory. Sometimes it’s easier to recall something that is linked to a visual or auditory event than if you were asked to retell a memory verbally.
How many times in your life have you heard a song come on and turned it up because it reminded you of a particular time in your past?
More than likely, you have a moment like that almost daily. The same can be said for folks with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Hearing a song that they knew as a child – whether it was always played in their home or they sang it in church, is most likely to evoke memories that are otherwise unattainable.
Being taken back to that particular moment in time could be extremely positive for your loved one. It might give them a certain peace about them that nothing else can create. Or it reminds them that they have lived an eventful life and still have the ability to create more memories.
There are ways that music helps memory loss without being directly linked to the recovery of memories. Similar to exercise, music activates multiple parts of the brain and body.
While simply listening to music exercises the recollection and visualization parts of the brain, playing the music yourself strengthens the cognitive and logical thinking parts of the brain.
It requires an individual to physically move their fingers properly to produce the music while their brain reads the musical notes on the page. Both of these actions have to occur in tandem, which in turn creates new pathways in their brain to make playing music easier.
These skills translate beyond music and allow your loved ones to gain more confidence in their abilities to face the challenges of aging head-on.
When you incorporate music into your senior’s daily schedule, it can help them to create a memory. As memory loss becomes more prevalent in their life, one of the first things to go is their daily routine.
It becomes harder and harder for them to remember if they have done a specific daily activity because their brain connections are shutting down. However, as we stated above, music creates new neural pathways which allow memories to be recovered but also created in new ways.
By attaching certain daily activities to a particular song, your loved one will have an easier time remembering their day and whether or not they participated in important daily tasks – such as taking medicine or eating.
While these activities and routines may still disappear as their memory loss progresses, adding music will help slow the progression and make them more comfortable, which ultimately is what you want for your loved one.
Overall, the benefit of adding music therapy to your aging loved one’s life can’t be understated. Music adds so much joy and positivity to the world around it.
As Shakespeare said, music directly correlates to lasting memories centered around love. Music makes us feel as though we are safe, understood, and never alone, which can all greatly enrich your senior’s experience with aging and memory loss.
Accessible Home Health Care is dedicated to staying on top of the latest therapies and offers options regarding music therapy to those with memory loss. We also have other tips on incorporating music into your loved one’s daily life.
Contact us today to discover all we can do for your family.
The respiratory system, like many of the other human systems (e.g., cardiovascular, digestive), is a wondrously complex and sophisticated arrangement of organs working together to maintain homeostasis.Contact an Office in Your AreaChronic obstructive pulmonary disease, more commonly referred to as COPD, is a health problem facing adults in the U.S. Because of its progressive nature and increased age as a leading factor, there is a greater prevalence of COPD in seniors. The good news is that many adults can easily reduce their risk of COPD through lifestyle management. COPD represents a group of lung diseases, with the two most common being emphysema and chronic bronchitis.Symptoms of COPD includeConstant coughingWheezingShortness of breathCoughing up mucusTightness in the chestResearch also suggests that there may be a link between poor air quality and COPD. The American Lung Association estimates that between 80-90% of COPD cases result from smoking. Unsurprisingly, secondhand smoke is a significant risk factor as well. Seniors should take the following steps to reduce their risk of COPD:Older adults that smoke should get support from a primary care physician and take steps to quit. There are many programs, services, and products that can help.Seniors should avoid contact with secondhand smoke whenever possible.Reducing exposure to air pollution can help relieve symptoms. Many cities issue poor air quality warnings when these warnings are in effect, seniors should limit outside activities. Seniors should avoid airborne irritants (chemicals, fumes, etc.) in the home.A healthy diet and exercise plan can improve lung function and overall health with direction from a physician.Older adults should understand the impact of aging on their respiratory system and reduce their risk of any related diseases, illnesses, or conditions.Doctors may recommend getting vaccinations for both influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia to guard against further breathing complications.Comfort Keepers Can HelpComfort Keepers elevates the human spirit for todays seniors and their families through a unique, individualized approach to care that helps seniors thrive and achieve greater wellbeing by fostering everyday positive moments, connection, and a more purposeful life no matter their age or acuity. As part of a healthcare team, an in-home caregiver can assist with activities that slow disease progression or reduce the risk for those with respiratory issues. Comfort Keepers caregivers can help by supporting physician-recommended health programs, preparing meals, encouraging prescribed physical activity, reminding seniors to take medications, and providing transportation to scheduled appointments. References:Healthline. Everything You Need to Know About Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Web. 2018.Everyday Health. 5 Best Ways to Prevent COPD by Chris Iliades, MD. Web. 2018.Aging Care. An Overview of COPD by National Institutes of Health. Web. 2017.Unity Point Health. The Top 8 Respiratory Illnesses and Diseases. Web. 2014.American Lung Association. Lung Capacity and Aging. Web. 2017.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Respiratory Disease. Web. 2017.
As seniors age, physical activities can have not only positive physical effects, but positive cognitive effects as well.Contact an Office in Your AreaIn one study, 100 nursing-home residents performed resistance exercises three times a week for 10 weeks. At the end, the exercise group could lift significantly more weight, climb more stairs, and walk faster and farther than their sedentary counterparts.Its been proven time and again that exercise is good for seniors physical and mental health. Regular exercise, even in small amounts, can improve mood, relieve stress and improve health. According to the CDC, four of the five most expensive health conditions older adults face can be prevented or managed with physical activity. But, only about 35% of adults over the age of 65 are physically active. Any senior starting a new exercise plan should consult with their physician. And, it is helpful for family and members of the care team to assist and support physical activity in any way they can. For those that are physically able to begin an exercise program, regular movement can help them live a more vibrant and healthy life. Some of the health benefits include:Improved mental health, mood and outlookPrevention, or improvement of, diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and osteoporosisReduced pain from arthritis and minimizing its severityDecreased risk of fallsEach individual has different needs when it comes to exercise and varying health conditions that may need to be taken into consideration before beginning an exercise regimen. A health professional to determine the best approach to physical activity with senior care.There are a variety of ways to incorporate aerobic activity, strength-building exercises, stretching and balance all without leaving the comfort of home! Aerobic exercise Walking in place, dancing or aerobic routines can help get the heart rate up. These activities improve cardiovascular health and help older adults maintain a healthy weight. Strength building exercises there are many easy strength-building exercises that can help seniors build the muscles they need to do everyday activities and prevent muscle loss. And, exercises can be done with household items or using body weight, so no expensive equipment is required. Stretching Stretching before and after exercise can help prevent soreness after exercise. And, the additional benefit is improved flexibility, which is good for older adults physical health. For those looking to improve their flexibility even more, there are exercise routines available online that include yoga or stretching routines specifically for seniors.Balance exercises Balance exercises help seniors prevent falls and improve mobility. Yoga, tai chi, and other low-impact activities can all help improve balance and overall physical health.Those that need a little assistance getting started should not hesitate to reach out to their doctor, family or caregiver. It is never too late to adopt an active lifestyle! Comfort Keepers Can HelpFor seniors that need a little extra help living an active lifestyle, Comfort Keepers caregivers can help with encouragement, support and assistance with physician-prescribed exercise plans. And, caregivers can encourage overall health through meal planning, grocery shopping, meal preparation and activities. Our custom care plans focus on physical and mental health and wellness activities. Our goal is to see that clients have the means to find the joy and happiness in each day, regardless of age or acuity.To learn more about our in-home care services, contact your local Comfort Keepers location today. ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. Adults Need More Physical Activity. Web. 2019.Health and Human Services. Facts & Statistics: Physical Activity. Web. 2017.National Council on Aging. Exercise Programs That Promote Senior Fitness. Web.Readers Digest Canada, 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors to Build Strength, Improve Balance and Boost Heart Health. Web. Harvard Health Publishing. Exercise after age 70. Web. 2007.
More Americans are choosing to age in place. That is, they opt to stay in their homes rather than move to alternative retirement settings.But that often means they must modify their home, so it's not a danger to their safety and health when their physical abilities change.A new career field has risen to address this need: the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), a program of the National Association of Home Builders. Certified individuals assess homes to identify and recommend modifications to prevent injuries from falls and other risks.According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one-third of Americans age 65 and over fall each year. The CDC adds that environmental factors lead to about half of all falls that occur at home. In addition to tripping hazards and poor lighting, these factors include a lack of needed modifications, such as bathroom grab bars, handicapped showers, stair railings and ramps. The organization offers a checklist to make sure an older adult's home is as safe as possible.Home modifications help seniors maintain quality of life. They often prevent injuries that lead to a loss of independence and early admission to an assisted living or long-term care facility.The following are examples of commonly recommended modifications:Install grab bars for toilets and tubs and install a walk-in tub and/or tub seatRemove unnecessary throw rugs and fasten down rugs or floor runners to prevent slippingMove furniture to create clear walking pathsKeep objects off the floor and coil or secure cords to the wall to prevent trippingReplace doorknobs with lever door handlesApply non-slip tape on uncarpeted indoor and outdoor stepsReplace standard light switches with rocker-style switchesIncrease the width of doorways and hallways to accommodate wheelchairs and, where possible, lower sinks and countertopsMove often-used items to lower cabinets to avoid the need for step stoolsRepair or replace loose handrails and install adequate lighting in stairwaysInstall an elevator or chair liftInstall an elevated dishwasher or one with drawers for easy accessReplace old stoves with induction cooktops to help prevent burnsReplace ceramic tile floors with hardwood or vinyl for safe standingShedding Light on Home ModificationWhen modifying a home for a senior, don't forget the importance of good lighting. Seniors need two to three times as much light in order to see as well as younger people.Good lighting -- in the form of natural light -- provides seniors safety and other advantages:Sunlight provides a good dose of vitamin D, which helps the body absorb more calcium to strengthen teeth and bones. Choose window treatments that let in sunlight, without glare, to enhance the health of seniors, many of who get outside less than they used to.Daylight also improves psychological health. It lessens the energy-zapping effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and other forms of depression.