The Role of Music and Art in Senior Care: Creative Therapies for Wellness

Creating art is a fun, fulfilling activity that can also help to improve the overall well-being of everyone, especially seniors and older adults. It becomes increasingly important to find engaging activities to keep our minds sharp and engaged as we age, and the enjoyment and creation of art can provide many meaningful benefits. Introducing more creativity into the life of seniors either at home or in senior living communities can help boost emotional and cognitive health while building connections with others. 

Research suggests that creative wellness therapies incorporating art activities provide a positive outlet to share thoughts and feelings. Whether listening to or creating music, painting, sculpting, or drawing, these creative pastimes allow self-expression in a non-verbal way. This process helps older adults gain better self-awareness and lift their mood naturally. But art doesn’t just nurture positive emotions, it can also help to exercise the mind.   

Music Therapy for Seniors 

In music therapy, seniors listen to music, sing songs, play instruments, or compose their own tunes to maintain emotional health and brain function. When seniors make or listen to one of their favorite songs or albums from their youth, different parts of their brain begin to work together. The areas controlling memory, language, and focus are all engaged during music therapy. This suggests that regular music activities can help exercise thinking abilities and may even slow down memory issues or the risk of dementia. 

Take, for example, this recent viral video capturing the heartwarming moment when a former ballerina battling Alzheimer’s reconnected with the familiar movements of Swan Lake, one of the most popular ballets, as the music played. Her eyes lit up with joy, and her body seemed to recall every graceful step, proving that even as we face the challenges aging can bring, music has the unique ability to unlock memories and bring back moments of true happiness. 

The calming sounds and rhythms of music can also soothe the mind and relax the body. Music therapy has been shown to ease the feelings of anxiety and depression that many seniors face, offering a comforting mental safe space to return to when they need it most. Bonding over a favorite song or listening to music with others also fosters social connection through shared musical experiences, reminding seniors of cherished moments and bringing warmth to their hearts. And, of course, with music comes dancing! Some music therapy gets seniors moving by dancing or using instruments themselves. Through gentle guidance, these exercises can help to improve balance, coordination, and even cardiovascular health, all while allowing seniors to rediscover the pure joy of self-expression through movement and melody. 

Art Therapy for Seniors

Art therapy is another fun option that allows self-expression through different art projects for seniors. Activities like painting, drawing, making sculptures or collages let seniors explore their creativity while gaining many benefits. 

Used as a form of psychotherapy since the 1940s, art therapy helps people gain self-understanding and better process changes in their lives. Art therapy is often prescribed to patients to help them cope with their emotions. Art provides a safe way for seniors to share and process these complex emotions in a way that might be difficult through words alone. By making time and space to connect with these emotions, those in art therapy can better work through their inner thoughts and feelings. 

Creating art also provides a rewarding sense of achievement. Seeing their art take shape, especially if that art is associated with an emotional release, encourages seniors to take pride in their work, build confidence, and chart their artistic progress and emotional growth. This is especially true when seniors share their art with others and incorporate more social aspects to the individual experience. Sharing and making art together fosters a sense of community and belonging, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness.  

Like music, other forms of art therapy, like painting or drawing, help add movement and function to limbs and joints. Art therapy encourages movement of the hands and arms that enhance motor skills, which can help enhance blood flow, improve muscle coordination, and build better dexterity over time. 

Adding Creative Therapies to Senior Care

Both music and art can easily become part of a senior’s daily routine. Senior living communities may offer structured group sessions led by trained therapists. For those living independently at home, there are several free online resources, such as Arts For The Aging, The Creative Aging Resource from Lifetime Arts, and Art With Elders, to help you learn and grow through the arts. 

For independent seniors, local centers sometimes provide art or music classes tailored to their needs and interests. Doing these fun activities gives a sense of purpose, routine, and social connection. 

Caregivers play a key role in creative therapies too. They can help to guide seniors through simple creative projects in the home or community. Easy activities like listening to familiar tunes, singing along, or simple crafts can bring daily joy, self-expression, and mental stimulation to their loved ones. 

Music and art therapy offer countless benefits that truly enhance a senior’s overall wellness and quality of life. By exploring these creative therapies, older adults and their caregivers can unlock worlds of self-expression, social bonds, and personal growth for a happier and more fulfilled journey ahead.