Music Therapy and Aging

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Misty L. Trepke

http://www..com

 

Music Therapy and Aging

 

Music is one of the most healing powers in my life. Sometimes I

stray away from music that matters! I usually always have relaxing

classical music playing in my office. It is soothing and relaxing

and I often realize that I have become so entrained by it that I

sometimes don't even hear it. But when you need some motivation,

movement or inspiration, change the tune!

 

Music As A Healing Power

 

Music is a magical medium and a very powerful tool. Music can

delight all the senses and inspire every fiber of our being. Music

has the power to soothe and relax, bring us comfort and embracing

joy! Music subtly bypasses the intellectual stimulus in the brain

and moves directly to our subconscious. There is music for every

mood and for every occasion. Music Therapy is incorporated in a

number of areas of medicine. Some of these include labor and

delivery, oncology, pain management, physical rehabilitation, and

pediatrics. Music Therapy has been shown to have influences on the

immune system, blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates, and pain

perception.

 

 

American Music Therapy Association and Research

 

AMTA has promoted a vast amount of research exploring the benefits

of music as treatment through publication of the Journal of Music

Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, Music Therapy, and other

resources. Technical assistance provided by AMTA has led to numerous

studies being funded. Research data and clinical experiences attest

to the viability of music therapy even in those who are resistive to

other treatment approaches.

 

 

Music Therapy and Congress

 

In 1991 the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on the

therapeutic benefits of music for elderly persons. Witnesses

included Mickey Hart, Theodore Bikel, elderly consumers, doctors and

researchers. The Music Therapy for Older Americans Act was

introduced as a result of this historic hearing. Major provisions

from that act have been enacted as part of the Older Americans Act

of 1992. In addition, music therapy is included as a related service

under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

 

Music therapy is also recognized as a viable treatment modality by

the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), the Joint

Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations

(JCAHO), the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF), and the

National Rehabilitation Caucus (NRC).

 

 

Why Music Therapy for the Aging

 

The wife of a man with severe dementia said, " When I was encouraged

by a music therapist to sing to my husband, who had been lost in the

fog of Alzheimer's disease for so many years, he looked at me and

seemed to recognize me. On the last day of his life, he opened his

eyes and looked into mine when I sang his favorite hymn. I'll always

treasure that last moment we shared together. Music therapy gave me

that memory, the gift I will never forget. "

 

Dr. Oliver Sacks, author of Awakenings at the hearing before the

Senate Special Committee on Aging entitled, " Forever Young: Music

and Aging, " stated:

 

" The power of music is very remarkable... One sees Parkinsonian

patients unable to walk, but able to dance perfectly well or

patients almost unable to talk, who are able to sing perfectly

well... I think that music therapy and music therapists are crucial

and indispensable in institutions for elderly people and among

neurologically disabled patients. "

 

I truly agree!

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit