choices that will promote social interaction and remain their physical and emotional selves. They may maintain
interested in life and the world around them. Being in- healthy eating habits, regular exercise, work on manag-
volved with music is a positive way to focus your cogni- ing stress, get enough rest, or pursue outside interests
tive and physical energy. Even though there are aches, aside from providing care to their loved one. Music,
pains, and other troubles associated with aging, the posi- however, can provide things to help with the stress of
tive energy they receive from music participation (active care giving that no other medium can help with so effec-
or passive) will dominate the pain, discomfort, and tively. Being a caregiver to an ailing loved one is very
stress they are feeling. There is a downward spiral that difficult emotionally as the person they are caring for is
can happen and it is important to prevent this spiral from usually not available to help them. Music therapy ses-
occurring. The downward spiral is as follows: sions with the caregiver and the care recipient can be
1. Focus on aches and pains successful as well. In music therapy, the caregiver and
2. Feel more discomfort care recipient can share music and emotional intimacy
3. Lose their motivation to be involved that is not related to the day-to-day physical needs of
4. Don’t feel well enough to do anything one person. This may help maintain the feelings of
5. Feel bored and not stimulated closeness that are most likely no longer present between
6. Depression sets in the caregiver and care recipient. The two people may
7. They become sedentary and more de- listen to music from their youth that will trigger memo-
bilitated (Clair, 1996). ries and they can reminisce about a happier time. Often
when a person is in need of a caregiver, there are situa-
Music can be a great motivator to counteract this nega- tions that are beyond their control. The disease, fi-
tive spiral. There is no person that is not able to partici- nances, and physical environment are some of elements
pate in music, even if they are severely mentally or that people may not be able to control. Either making
physically disabled. The ability to learn music or retain music together or other music activities can provide a
our musical skills remains with us throughout our lives. situation that can be controlled by the caregiver. This is
Music can also motivate people to remain active physi- important when so much in their lives is beyond control
cally. People generally enjoy exercising to music and and it gives some power over their own conditions. Just
this can assure that people will be motivated to continue as with healthy older adults, music can provide relief
with an exercise regime. If the music makes the exer- from typical aches and pains, music can provide relief
cise more pleasant, then the time will go quickly and from the difficulties of the current situation. The care-
they will exercise on a regular basis. giver and care recipient can leave behind (during music
It is important to remember that music provides therapy) the fears and concerns that invade their lives.
an excellent means of self-expression. Sometimes the The caregiver can structure time with the care recipient
best way to express a feeling is with music and the around music activities so that the whole focus is not
flexibility and breadth of music allows any feeling to be always on taking care of that person. The music time
expressed. In addition to the opportunities for self- can be time for enjoyment, sharing, and leaving the
expression through music, people of any age will have other problems behind (Clair, 1996).
the ability to grow intellectually through music. Older Music therapy with healthy older adults provides
adults may compose new melodies, lyrics, or new lyrics the opportunity to address the whole person and not just
to familiar melodies. Trying new things in music pro- one aspect of that individual. Therefore, musical activi-
vides cognitive challenges that are so beneficial to peo- ties should be concerned with the body, mind, spirit, and
ple’s mental and intellectual health. The uses of music community. Activities in sessions should include all as-
or the depth you can go into with older adults is unlim- pects of music in order to stimulate all of their senses
ited (Clair, 1996). (Bright, 1972). So much in our society is geared to-
One of the challenges that many healthy older wards youth and this can be difficult for older people
adults face is that they are caregivers for a loved one. who might be struggling with the loss of their youthful
This creates stress, anxiety, and often isolation as they identity. The orientation of music therapy interventions
are no longer available for social interactions and their with the older population should cater to their maturity
typical support networks are usually not accessible. and age. Music has the potential to help people feel
There are many ways that caregivers can take care of good about themselves. With appropriate activities they

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