Aging Well: Music is Everywhere
Cathy Graham • July 27, 2021
Music is everywhere.
All of us can engage in listening to music almost anywhere at any time. Fundamentally, music is a combination of sounds, and sound is vibration. Music is made of vibrations of different frequencies as heard in the sounds of the ocean waves careening to shore and birds chirping. Even the rain hitting the roof top can be thought of a gentle melody that helps one relax and fall to sleep.
Music is rhythmic not only to our ears but to our hearts and souls.
Hearing a song from 40 or 50 years ago can bring an instant emotional response of nostalgia, catapulting past experiences into the present.
Music is powerful.
It can make us want to move and sing in a way we would not in its absence. Moving and being creative can help people to extend themselves. It helps us to be spontaneous, more conversational and jovial.
Music is also healing.
In times of loss and great sadness we often turn to songs and sounds that mirror our feelings, and we listen to them repeatedly until the bleeding has stopped. Music is medicine. It helps patients recover after surgery and can underscore a positive attitude during treatments and therapies. Music is successfully used to reduce certain symptoms of depression.
Music covers our lifespan and journals our years better than anything else.
It is a constant companion even when we are isolated. It is confetti, a strong hug and a deep cry. It is what we are when we need it most.
Cathy Graham is the director of Graceful Aging Wellness Center, part of Bethlen Communities in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, and a District 3000–HRFA member. cgraham@bethlen.com
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