We take music for granted – it is something that’s buzzing on the background, while you are dealing with the important stuff. We do not realize how impactful music is for our brain and wellness.
Meanwhile, the latest research into how singing influences senior people’s wellness indicates that there is a positive trend, giving hope that quite soon we may learn how to control senility, Alzheimer’s disease and improve the quality of life of the aging adults.
This article looks at the benefits your granny may gain from singing and why a karaoke system is the best present for her.
Karaoke and high spirit
Elderly people often suffer from depressions which even their nuclear family can hardly detect. Such depression can be manifested through stress as a response to an external irritant. It is also associated with a decrease in memory, poor appetite, insomnia, irritability, and inability to enjoy things. The older the age, the higher the risk of depression.
Read also: 10 reasons why karaoke is good for you
Do you know that karaoke gives you much more than mere amusement? That’s right, singing karaoke has a huge impact on your mental, physical and emotional health. Here we give you 10 solid reasons why you should go and visit a karaoke club right away!
The therapy includes both antidepressants and active social activity, conversations, and creativity. The chain of care houses Applewood Our House (USA) exploits music therapy to help senior people. Their site provides the following information:
“Singing helps seniors to relax and feel better. It allows them to express deep emotion and releases them from stress. It often has a way of lifting their spirits in the midst of whatever challenges they might be facing. Therefore, singing and listening to music are considered very beneficial forms of activities for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.”
Singing is also an excellent work-out for your lungs and abs; it improves blood circulation, releases negative dementia-associated symptoms, and decreases stress. The care houses are well-aware of the importance of music therapy for better memory and the higher spirit of its residents. Individual and group singing is a common practice that has proven records of fighting depression and is applied internationally. The researchers indicate, the groups practicing music therapy show 54% fewer symptoms of depressive conditions.
Karaoke and quality of life
It has been proved many times that singing is beneficial for brain functions, including memory. Music can stimulate the mind thus evoking memories, associated with the familiar songs. The outstanding neuropsychologist Teppo Särkämö suggests the following:
“…Neurologically, music is a complex and multi-dimensional stimulus for the brain that not only activates auditory regions, but engages a wide network of temporal, frontal, parietal, cerebellar, and limbic regions. The capacity of music to evoke emotions and influence mood is often preserved, even in the later stages of dementia. Musical interventions can, therefore, provide a unique and useful tool for stimulating and maintaining the emotional, cognitive, and social functioning of people with dementia…”
The findings highlight that the older people who regularly sing in karaoke or choir indicate the following improvements:
- Increased self-confidence
- Improved interaction with other people in social settings
- Reduced anxiety and aggression
- Fewer incidences of depression
- Fewer hospital visits
- Ability to communicate even with speech difficulties
- Improvements in the tone of their speaking voices
- Easier breathing
- Improved posture
Read also: The easiest songs for karaoke
We have prepared a list of songs for you that are easy to sing even for those who take a karaoke microphone in their hand for the first time. They do not require special vocal techniques, special singing skills or a wide range of voice.
Many psychological issues the senior people suffer from raise from the lack of social interaction and emotional gaps they have to encounter at an older age. Singing, such as joining a choir or a karaoke party, plays a significant role in bridging these emotional gaps because, during such activities, the environment requires the participants to interact, collaborate, and spend a considerable amount of time together. Besides, people are naturally enjoying singing and communication, karaoke also boosts the synthesis of dopamine, a feel-good hormone responsible for a sense of joy.
Besides, a karaoke session is a good excuse to call on your granny or aged parents, to gather a whole family together and spend a marvelous time. Perhaps, such moments are among the reasons why it’s a good idea to buy a home-based karaoke system.
