Art for Ages: music, health and well-being of Older Adults
The project investigated the role of musical experience in enhancing the physical and mental wellbeing of older adults in nursing homes in Southern Switzerland.
Specifically, we explored the function of music in the lives of older adults (Phase 1) and the benefits of group music making on their health and wellbeing (Phase 2). In short, the research has examined the efficacy of music, compared with other physically and socially engaging activities, as a way of managing key medical, social and psychological conditions prevalent among older adults.
Staff and students of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana worked with nursing home residents in Southern Switzerland, examining the role of music in their lives and exploring the benefits of group music making.
"It was definitely a meaningful experience!", commented Loredana Burcheri, Entertainer at Residenza Gemmo: "At the end of it, residents were asking why more meetings were not being held, and they continue to ask! They were really happy and the activities offered were all at a very high level."
The research showed that music plays an important role in the lives of nursing home residents. Firstly, although most residents did not have ex-tended musical training, their consumption of and appreciation for live music performances has been lifelong. Consequently, they take a keen interest in musical events hosted by their nursing homes. Secondly, the residents are highly motivated to listen actively not passively to music in their daytoday lives, and they report strong, positive effects of this on their mood. They deliberately choose when to listen and what to listen to typically, music from their youth. Crucially, their musical engagement remains stable from before to after their move into the nursing home, indicating that music remains of interest and relevance even once other leisure activities decrease.
The research has also demonstrated that regular group music making has beneficial effects on the mood and emotions of the nursing home residents and, to some extent, enhanced autobiographical memories. These effects were driven by three factors: the residents’ ongoing interest in music, their appreciation for the learning opportunities included in the music program, and the interpersonal relationships promoted by it, both with the musicians and with other residents.
Staff and students of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana worked with nursing home residents in Southern Switzerland, examining the role of music in their lives and exploring the benefits of group music making.
"It was definitely a meaningful experience!", commented Loredana Burcheri, Entertainer at Residenza Gemmo: "At the end of it, residents were asking why more meetings were not being held, and they continue to ask! They were really happy and the activities offered were all at a very high level."
The research showed that music plays an important role in the lives of nursing home residents. Firstly, although most residents did not have ex-tended musical training, their consumption of and appreciation for live music performances has been lifelong. Consequently, they take a keen interest in musical events hosted by their nursing homes. Secondly, the residents are highly motivated to listen actively not passively to music in their daytoday lives, and they report strong, positive effects of this on their mood. They deliberately choose when to listen and what to listen to typically, music from their youth. Crucially, their musical engagement remains stable from before to after their move into the nursing home, indicating that music remains of interest and relevance even once other leisure activities decrease.
The research has also demonstrated that regular group music making has beneficial effects on the mood and emotions of the nursing home residents and, to some extent, enhanced autobiographical memories. These effects were driven by three factors: the residents’ ongoing interest in music, their appreciation for the learning opportunities included in the music program, and the interpersonal relationships promoted by it, both with the musicians and with other residents.
Research team:
Aaron Williamon, Stefano Cavalli, Hubert Eiholzer, Paola Di Giulio, Paolo Paolantonio, Carla Pedrazzani.
Aaron Williamon, Stefano Cavalli, Hubert Eiholzer, Paola Di Giulio, Paolo Paolantonio, Carla Pedrazzani.