Why Music is Good Medicine for Seniors

Updated: August 2025

As Bob Marley once said, “One good thing about music when it hits you, you feel no pain.” Which is why music is the perfect medicine for seniors!

Music stirs a variety of feelings in us. It has the power to make us feel good, lifting our mood on difficult days to provide a little extra support when we need it most. Music can even spark some of our fondest memories. These effects bring us a sense of comfort and help us to relax. It’s no wonder that they say music is good for us, at any age. However, as we grow older, the benefits are even greater.

A Way to De-Stress

We all find it hard to handle stress. For older adults in particular, it can be especially tough to wind down. This is because there can be additional stressors, like managing health-related problems, lack of frequent social interaction, or financial strain. The soothing power of music is brilliant for combating this, as it’s a great stress management tool. How does it reduce stress? Listening to music or participating in musical activities can prevent unhealthy spikes in heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, it can help decrease your levels of cortisol, which is a primary stress indicator.

Boost Your Memory and Concentration

Ever feel like your memory isn’t the same as it used to be? Music and song are known to kick-start grey matter in your brain, which supports your mental function, memory, and even your emotions. Soothing and upbeat tunes increase your brain’s production of ‘feel-good’ chemicals such as melatonin, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Music therapy is a recognised therapeutic approach for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Some benefits include:

Calming agitated Alzheimer’s patients.
Prompting non-verbal people to hum or sing.
Improving mood and open communication with loved ones.

Music uniquely engages your brain unlike any other activity. That’s why it’s vital to exercise your brain by learning something new! Whether it’s memorising lyrics or learning an instrument, it’s good to keep your mind healthy.

Support a Healthy Social Life

As we age, many of us find it challenging to maintain an active social life. However, staying socially connected plays a key role in supporting our mental health. Looking for ways to broaden your social circle? Group music sessions are a great way to connect with others, giving us a sense of belonging. Other benefits of group music activities include:

Fostering connection and socialisation with others.
Creating shared experiences and fond memories among its participants.
Prompting opportunities for conversations and bonding.
Reducing negative feelings of anxiety, loneliness, and depression.

Experiences like these can mean a lot to older adults, helping people stay socially connected. Music has always had a way of bringing people together, whether it’s loved ones at a family gathering or strangers at a musical activity.

Healing Benefits

Music not only heals the mind, it can also have real benefits for the body. For older adults, learning an instrument can help improve dexterity and motor skills.

Did you know that music also has the power to act as a natural painkiller? It distracts from pain and increases the release of endorphins, which is your body’s natural pain reliever. So, for seniors living with chronic pain, music can be a gentle, effective way to ease discomfort and promote relaxation.

Need some motivation to get moving? Compiling a playlist of your favourite music can be a simple but effective way to encourage movement. As we age, staying active can become more challenging. However, using music to motivate yourself, even with light exercise, can improve your fitness and promote better sleep.

Bonus Tips

Here are some simple ways to implement music into your life:

Create a personalised playlist of favourite tunes.
Have a sing-along. Songs from the past are quite catchy and uplifting.
Go to a concert. Local community halls are great places for musical performances, that are not too crowded.

Could you use a little extra support for yourself or a loved one? We can help! At Simply Helping, we offer a wide range of flexible aged care support services that help you remain living independently at home! Click here to learn more about our home care services, and contact us today to find a Simply Helping near you.