Lifelong Listening:  How Music Supports Healthy Aging

Music is an essential part of the human experience and, for older adults, it is more than a source of entertainment. Singing, listening to or playing a musical instrument supports healthy aging in ways that few other activities do. These activities stimulate the brain and promote cognitive health and social, emotional and physical well-being.

Neuroplasticity and Notes:  How Music Supports Brain Health

"If you want to firm up your body, head to the gym. If you want to exercise your brain, listen to music." 
Keep your brain young with music. John Hopkins

Our brains have an incredible ability to adapt and grow at any age, thanks to neuroplasticity. 

Music isn't just good for the soul -- it's a powerful tool for lifelong learning and healthy aging. Learning something new stimulates the brain to reorganize its neural connections to change and adapt.

Every time we challenge ourselves with something new, like learning a song, picking up an instrument, or exploring unfamiliar music, we're sparking fresh growth inside our mind. It’s never too late to build new pathways and keep our brain vibrant.

Previously we discussed neuroplasticity and lifelong learning in our Blog post, February 2024, Lifelong Learning for the Health of it.

Tuned to the Mind: Music in Everyday Life

How can you integrate music into your everyday life?

Here are some ideas from Jennifer Buchanan, an award-winning Certified Music Therapist and founder of JB Music Therapy.

Jennifer suggests:

• create playlists
• listen to new genres of music

Create Playlists

In her latest book, Wellness, Wellplayed: The Power of a Playlist, Jennifer explains how to create a playlist -- or more than one for different purposes.

• Start the day with a playlist of upbeat or calming tunes while getting dressed or having breakfast.
• Create a wind-down playlist before naps or bedtime to promote better sleep hygiene.
• Create a playlist for travel for entertainment or distraction. Best to avoid lullabies if you are driving a car!

Listen to New Genres of Music

"If a growth mindset sounds appealing, there is much evidence that seeking out new music, giving it a chance and learning more about it, can flex your auditory muscle and help you achieve that positive state of mind that helps you grow."
Jennifer Buchanan

Ask your grandkids to share their music with you. It could provide a connection between your generations, and new music challenges the brain. Any yes, this can include rap music. While rap is often associated with youth culture, you might find it engaging, insightful, and even empowering once you explore it. Rap is rooted in storytelling, often reflecting on life's struggles and experiences. Not all rap is aggressive and you might connect to those artists who speak about resilience, community or social justice.

Effects of Music Genres on Health

Jennifer advises us to pay attention to our reaction to specific music. Does it make us feel relaxed? Or revved up?

"Music is a gateway into comfort, or total discomfort. It soothes us, it sorts us out, and at times it transports us to a different place. It helps us to remember, and it can help us to forget." Jennifer Buchanan

On a personal note: "Although I like to listen to arias, often the chorus in an opera sounds like cacophony to my brain." (Author)

Out of curiosity, I asked ChatGPT how different genres of music can have unique effects on cognitive, social and emotional health.  The answer was quite detailed and included a wide variety of genres. If you are curious, you can read the handout. 

Music Genres.pdf

Use Music for Relaxation and Stress Relief

Music can improve sleep. In a study of people aged 60-83 years, participants listened to sedative music tapes at bedtime for 3 weeks. Sleep quality improved weekly.

Some genres of music can result in calming and relaxing effects on the brain. For some, classical music works well. Another study showed that slow tempo and repetitive patterns of a music genre help to lower heart rate and reduce stress, creating a conducive environment for sleeping. 

However, music is personal.

Use Music for Social and Emotional Connection

Many older adults find comfort in songs from their youth, which can evoke strong memories and feelings, helping them maintain a sense of identity and continuity over time.

• Listen to old music to recall a memory. If you grew up in the 50s or 60s, listening to your favourite songs from that era might help you recall your high school or college days. Or your first date.
• Another way to make social connections is to join a singing group.

Keeping the Beat: Learn to Play an Instrument

Learning (and re-learning) to play an instrument and to read music can improve both cognitive abilities and well-being, as shown in this research.

When thirteen older adults took piano lessons, their attention, memory and problem-solving abilities improved, along with their moods and quality of life. You don’t have to become a pro,  just take a few lessons.

CALL Interest Group - Guitar Jam

The Guitar Jam Interest Group was started by Marlene Lenstra in 2019.  Here is her story.

I had a conversation with Stephen Shutt,a CALL member and a volunteer with Guitar Jam a CALL Interest Group. Steve wrote an article for the CALL monthly newsletter. In it, he wrote:

"The Calgary Association of Lifelong Learners has an interest group called Guitar Jam. A group of enthusiastic guitar players struts their stuff. We’re not necessarily that good, although some are, but we’re all having a great time, meeting new friends, learning some new songs, remembering some old ones and giving our brains a workout."

Steve's dad bought a guitar for him when he was a boy but it was a bit of a passing phase. He carried it around with him throughout his adult life, occasionally picking it up and trying a few chords but never making the time to pursue it seriously. As he aged, he developed an interest in 'brain health' and one day reading an article from John Hopkins, Keep Your Brain Young with Music, the two interests seemed to meet and it 'struck a chord'. Then retired and a member of CALL, he noticed that CALL had a Guitar-Jam group so, in spite of his feeling intimidated to play with others, he decided to take the plunge. It's become quite a passion for him.

Steve spoke very positively about the group and how this experience has contributed to his well-being.

• Reading and learning lyrics has improved my memory
• Learning new songs has challenged my mind
• Engagement with others is a distraction from worries

Steve asked others in the group to share why they joined and what benefits they have noticed.

Cathy shared how she got interested in the group.

"I joined because a friend of my husband mentioned it existed. I wanted to play more, learn a bit more with others. And I get all of that and more. It is so much fun to learn the song choices of everyone - and through that get to know much more about each of the members. It is super fun every week. And what’s more, cSPACE is just a short walk away."

Steve L. had three goals for joining the group.

Brent and Geoff described how the group provides social opportunities and ways to improve their playing. 

"It’s a great group and a fun way to learn new tunes. Definitely helps my guitar playing, and my singing too. Usually leave with a smile on my face." Brent

"I was looking for a group of like-minded people with an interest in playing guitar - generally jamming. The benefits would be socializing and having fun playing and singing. So far - so good!! I was already a CALL member so just looked around the website for things that I might enjoy." Geoff

Summary

The central idea of this post is that music can support healthy aging, particularly brain health.

Neuroplasticity might sound complex but it’s actually a really cool idea — it’s all about how our brains can change and grow, no matter our age! The basic idea is simple: whenever we learn something new, our brains get busy reorganizing and building new connections. That’s where music comes in. Whether you’re picking up a new instrument, singing a song you've never tried before, or diving into a totally different style of music, you’re giving your brain a workout — helping it stay flexible, strong, and full of life.

Interested in music?

If you are interested in joining a group of Ukulele players, check out the Interest Group, CALL of the Uke

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SINGING, LEARN MORE ABOUT CALGARY MUSIC MAKERS.  They have been singing and performing for nearly four decades. 

RESOURCES

CALL BLOG POST.  Lifelong Learning for the Health of it.

Effects of music learning and piano practice on cognitive function, mood and quality of life in older adults. 

Keep your brain young with music.  

Lai, H. L., & Good, M. (2005). Music improves sleep quality in older adults. Journal of advanced nursing, 49(3), 234–244.

Music for Study and Sleep: Surprising Discovery on How Music Boost Focus and Relaxation. Neuroscience.com

Wellness, Wellplayed: The Power of a PlaylistAuthor

Maureen Osis
Maureen retired from her career -- first as a Gerontological Nurse and then a Marriage/Family Therapist in private practice working with mid-life and older adults. Maureen has published numerous articles and books, related to her professions. She is a member of CALL because she is passionate about learning. She is a volunteer with CALL, doing social media and the primary author of the blog, because she likes to face new challenges.

Guest Author

Stephen (Steve) Shutt

Originally from the UK, Steve emigrated to Canada in 1967 and has had a varied career working in sales, on seismic exploration and acting as a patient for student doctors at the U of Calgary medical school. He was also active in community theatre for many years with Liffey Players both on stage and behind the scenes. Now retired, as well as playing guitar he enjoys woodwork, running in 10km races and traveling.

Acknowledgement

Jennifer Buchanan

Jennifer is the Founder of JB Music Therapy (JBMT), a music therapy company that has been instrumental in the implementation of hundreds of music therapy programs throughout Canada for 30 years. JBMT currently employs a diverse team of 20 Certified Music Therapists (MTAs) serving all ages in medical, education and community care settings.

As the author of award-winning books, she has become a trusted source for many television media outlets across North America and has been featured in publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.

Her latest book, Wellness, Wellplayed: The Power of a Playlist was written for all of us who love to make the biggest impact possible while getting the most out of life – it equips busy, mindful people with tools and supports to engage with music in a deeper way.

The Canadian music therapy community presented Jennifer with their two most prestigious awards – the Norma Sharpe Award for lifetime achievement and the Frani Award, named after her long-time mentor and friend – and the pioneer of music therapy in Canada.

https://jenniferbuchanan.ca/

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