Harmonizing Healing: Seniors Find Happiness Through Creative Music Therapy

Originally published May 4, 2017. Updated in 2024.

Ruth Ann Cranston could see her dad slipping away.

“In the last few years my father lived on his own, it became disturbingly apparent that his cognitive ability was fading,” Ruth Ann said. “I knew if I didn’t do something about that soon, it would be too late.”

Two years ago, she moved her father, Larry, into one of the skilled nursing communities at Bethesda Health Group in St. Louis. Since then, Ruth Ann said the reawakening of her dad’s mind has been amazing.

A Familiar Tune

“Dad has senile dementia,” Ruth Ann said. “However, there are parts of his brain, especially on the left side, that can be tapped into and he lights right up. Music Therapy has been wonderful for him. Not only can I notice the improvements in his cognitive abilities, but he says when he is doing music therapy he is in his ‘happy place.’ I’m so glad we moved him here, where the most is being made of his abilities.”

Linda McNair, a board-certified music therapist, started adapted keyboard lessons — one of her favorite music therapy tools — with Larry right after he moved in and began music therapy.

“I take a small keyboard into the resident’s room, and allow them a chance to play,” Linda said. “The therapy is geared to what the resident is capable of doing — I want them to be able to be successful when they attempt to play.”

Lessons can range from letting the resident attempt to play a simple tune such as “Mary Had a Little Lamb” to improvising along to a jazz track.

Larry, who loves big band music of the 1940s and 1950s as well as jazz, likes to try to accompany his favorite songs. He gets a helping hand from Linda’s instrument, as the keys on the keyboard light up in the proper sequence.

Residents who aren’t able to play the keyboard can still benefit from music therapy. Linda said those seniors can listen to their favorite type of songs on an iPod, which stimulates their brains, soothes their nerves and jogs their minds.

“Playing music helps seniors to remember patterns, and that helps them exercise their cognitive ability,” Linda said. “Equally important, it gives residents a chance to feel good about their accomplishments and express their creativity.

Health Benefits of Music Therapy

Music therapy has been proven to help older adults restore and maintain their health. Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Promoting general wellness
• Managing stress and anxiety
• Alleviating pain
• Expressing emotions and creativity
• Enhancing memory
• Improving communication
• Promoting physical rehabilitation
• A better outlook on life and increased self-esteem

In addition to working well with seniors living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia, music therapy has been found to benefit people who are recovering from traumatic brain injuries, people who have autism, and people with Parkinson’s Disease. Music therapy is an evidence-based clinical practice that is used with all populations ranging from the tiniest newborn preemies to those on hospice. Visit the American Music Therapy Association to learn more about the many benefits Music Therapy can provide your loved one.

Ready for Showtime

In fact, Larry has enjoyed his musical awakening so much, he’s even joined the choir at the community, finding joy in singing with his friends from around the building.

“My father was in a state of mental decline,” Ruth Ann said. “Because of music therapy for seniors and the other care he receives here at Bethesda, his brain is stimulated and he’s much better. It’s clear that what he’s getting here has had a profound effect. He’s much more alert. He’s much more conversational. I’m so grateful for what Linda has been able to do to help him. You can really tell how much she cares about the people who live here and how much she puts into it.”

Can Music Therapy benefit you or your loved one? For more information on Music Therapy, visit Bethesda’s blog!