By: Dominique Mirabella, BMUS, MT-BC
What is Music Therapy?
The American Music Therapy Association defines it as “the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship.” AMTA further explains that “music therapy interventions can address a variety of healthcare and educational goals to promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication, promote physical rehabilitation, and more.”
For older adults, there are many benefits to engaging in music therapy. No musical skills or talents are required, and depending on their needs, sessions can have more active or receptive participation.
Physical Health Benefits of Music Therapy Activities
Music therapy can promote physical activity, stretching, playing instruments, dancing, gait training, fine and gross motor skills, and more. Activities and interventions can be tailored to the person’s individual needs and abilities with modifications for all levels of participation and engagement.
Chair exercises and seated dancing can work on flexibility and muscle strength in a fun and engaging way that does not feel like work. Playing drums or shakers focuses on hand-eye coordination and motor skills—and can be done together for active music-making. Guided music relaxation can improve breathing, relax muscles, and ease pain. The body greatly benefits from music participation and listening.
Mental Health Benefits
Music therapy can improve a person’s mental and emotional state and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Gathering people together to play, chat, and connect over music also promotes a sense of connection and community and combats isolation.
Music provides a sense of reminiscence about our past and brings us back to different times in our lives just by listening to it. Songwriting and lyric analysis can help people process emotions, work through difficult times, and find hope. Songwriting about a person’s life can be a great way to reflect on their life experiences and have a song to pass on to family and friends for generations to come.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Music is stored in many places in the brain because it is both physical and mental. It can be accessed at all ages and is heavily linked to our memories and emotions. As WebMD explains:
Older adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can use music to access their past experiences and memories. Musical memories often go untouched by Alzheimer’s disease, making music that much stronger of a treatment option. It can help reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and agitation. People with dementia or Alzheimer’s may find it hard to communicate. These difficulties often lead to isolation and depression. Music provides a way for them to express themselves and communicate. Familiar music helps those with Alzheimer’s maintain a grasp on their experiences and identities. Music therapy helps them keep a hold of reality and the things that bring them joy.
Personal Experiences as a Hummingbird Project Activity Specialist
Music therapy is an essential part of quality-of-life care for older adults. As an Activity Specialist with The Hummingbird Project, I have witnessed the power it has on the physical, spiritual, intellectual, vocational, creative, environmental, and emotional aspects of my clients’ lives. Specifically, I have:
- Assisted clients in creating dance routines to their favorite songs, learning new dance styles, and playing instruments for physical wellness
- Led conversations and lyric analyses on religion, faith, and God through spiritual songs and hymns for spiritual wellness
- Taught clients the basics of music to learn new skills of rhythm, melody, and harmony for intellectual wellness
- Taught clients who had a background in music to play their instruments once again with modifications, whether it was the violin, piano, and guitar for vocational wellness
- Guided clients in songwriting about their lives to create the verses, choruses, and musicality for creative wellness
- Taken clients on outings to musical spaces like museums with access to pianos, drums, guitars, and percussion instruments for environmental wellness
- Guided clients through music relaxation, imagery, and breathing exercises for emotional wellness
My Conclusion
The possibilities are endless to support older adults through Music Therapy to cultivate joy, engage curiosity, foster personal expression, bring happiness, and ensure the fullness of life.
Dominique Mirabella, BMUS, MT-BC
Activity Specialist
Dominique is an Activity Specialist with The Hummingbird Project, part of Sage Eldercare Solutions in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a passion for using music and other creative expressions to enrich the lives of older adults. Her focus has been providing quality-of-life services for hospice and palliative care clients in nursing homes, adult daycare facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and in-home settings.
Dominique’s Background
In her academic career, Dominique combined her love for music and supporting others by pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy with a minor in Business. She started and directed the very first music program at her local YMCA camp in her home state of Colorado, which brought music-based activities to hundreds of children. At YMCA, she also volunteered and offered coping mechanisms through music for a handful of bereavement camp programs for grieving children.
She later found a passion for drumming and received her certificate in HealthRhythms to lead group empowerment drum circles. Dominique is a board-certified Music Therapist. She sings, plays piano, ukulele, guitar, and percussion instruments. Her old-soul personality and energetic spirit help her easily connect with the community around her.
