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Arts & Communication Music therapy and elderly people in home care

of overall health condition incorporate aspects beyond the brain, music influences various brain areas, extending
traditional medical model, encompassing dimensions such beyond the auditory cortex, with the potential to stimulate
as mental health, behaviors, and socialization, as these regions responsible for memory, attention, speech, and
factors are decisive for a more thorough comprehension motor functions [14,17] .
and improved treatment of elderly individuals in home Thus, music therapy emerges as a novel non-
care setting .
[5]
pharmacological intervention for enhancing overall
Population aging, along with the increasing prevalence health conditions, encompassing preventive measures,
of chronic pathological conditions that may entail physical, rehabilitation, treatment of pathologies, and palliative care,
cognitive, and/or social limitations, coupled with cultural with a particular emphasis on patients of advanced age [13,18-22] .
changes in the population, have influenced the evolving Music therapy uses music and/or its elements to engage
model necessary for optimal integrated healthcare individuals in active or receptive musical experiences, such as
practices. This transformation has generated a heightened listening, recreation, improvisation, and/or composition .
[18]
demand for innovative treatments tailored to the needs of The main objective of this therapeutic modality is to
elderly patients . These societal changes over the years enhance and/or potentially restore an individual’s functions
[6]
highlight the growing importance of home health care. through preventive, rehabilitative, or treatment measures,
It has emerged as a pivotal model driving both social and given the relationship between musical elements and motor,
healthcare system developments, encompassing disease cognitive, emotional, and social abilities . Examples
[18]
treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care within both include music therapy techniques that employ rhythm to
[7]
the public and private sectors . facilitate motor responses or promote communication
[14]
[12]
Home health care, also known as home care service, and self-expression through singing practices .
is a treatment format administered within the patient’s Music therapy techniques, such as working with songs
residence, overseen by a qualified physician. Trained that are part of the patient’s affective memory or musical
professionals offer a spectrum of therapeutic and medical abilities that they have developed in the past, provide
interventions with the aim of enhancing functional elderly individuals access to their long-term memory,
independence and fostering improved health and well- which is often beyond reach through conscious evocative
being. This approach not only minimizes exposure to induction . This potential of musical activities to access
[23]
hospital environments but also ease treatment accessibility unique memory regions holds promise for the treatment
for individuals with limited mobility . of age-related dementias [9,13,20-22,24] . In addition to the
[8]
To age healthily means to maintain an overall health cognitive improvements, progress has been observed
condition as effectively as possible, striking a balance in treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and
between autonomy, emotional well-being, and cognitive restlessness [10,11,21,25,26] . This may attributed to music’s ability
abilities while considering the limitations imposed by to evoke positive feelings from memories and past events,
the aging process. It is important, for example, that allowing patients to recognize their continued capability to
elderly individuals engage in activities that provide engage in familiar musical activities [12,22,27,28] . In most cases,
mental and physical stimulation, effectively providing patients undergoing music therapy acquire new musical
cerebral exercises [9,10] . In addition, the prevention of techniques, either naturally through the musical practices
emotional illnesses, such as depression, is of paramount performed in their treatment or through specific music
[28]
importance since it often arises due to factors such as therapy techniques designed for learning . As pointed
[29]
social isolation and a sense of worthlessness that can affect out by Luz , “feelings of uselessness and despair are
this demographic [9-11] . By implementing these measures, transformed into pride when the elderlies recognize that
the likelihood of elderly individuals remaining active is they are still capable of being creative and that they can
increased, resulting in benefits not only for the individuals learn new skills.” This underscores the pivotal role of music
themselves but also for society as a whole and those therapy in enhancing the quality of life for these patients.
engaged in social interactions with them [10,12,13] . Scientific literature lacks studies reporting the
Music has gained growing recognition as a powerful standardization of procedures and evaluations for music
therapeutic tool, uniquely capable of engaging patients. therapy patients in home health care. Existing research
Elements such as rhythm, harmony, and melody within points to several positive outcomes, including immediate
music stimulate various areas of the brain . Therefore, cognitive improvement in elderly individuals with
[14]
music serves as a tool for providing cognitive stimulation, dementia following music therapy interventions [9,13] , a
facilitating self-expression, and promoting overall well- reduction in agitation among institutionalized elderly ,
[25]
being [12,14-16] . After undergoing initial processing in the and relief from pain in patients receiving palliative

Volume 1 Issue 2 (2023) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/ac.0396