Recreational and Music Therapy Recreation groups and Music classes can offer a variety of self-affirming and enriching

experiences. It is regarded as a proven resource that can have a direct, positive impact on seniors including improved motor skills and coordination, renewed confidence, social bonding, and increased emotional resilience. One of the best ways of living a long and healthy life is through recreational exercises. It might seem like a chore, or time consuming. However, physical activity comes in many ways and forms which can be recreational in nature, including gardening, housework and walking to the shops to buy the milk or newspaper. Regular physical activity helps reduce the effects of aging such as limited mobility, balance, flexibility and muscle strength. It also decreases the risk of heart problems and osteoporosis, as well as keeping you in a happy and healthy frame of mind. Music, considered as one of the most potent natural stimulant, has a well-documented capacity to evoke different human response. In the last decade, there has been a noticeable increase in the use of music in the health care for the elderly. Many articles describe subjectively the benefits which music can offer, and a scattering of research projects have systematically assessed the effects of music on patients. From the results and conclusions of such literature it is apparent that music and recreation, diversion and therapy have become recognized as an important therapeutic tool with scope for widespread application. The positive achievements of smallscale research programs, if possible to replicate, would be highly valuable to gerontological nursing and thus a review of the literature and evidence for such claims is warranted. It is this quality which allows music to reach patients during the isolation of pain or illness, brain deterioration or a decreasing ability to communicate. Important points for the Nurse to remember in giving the Recreation and Music Therapy Dos: 1. Build a communicative and therapeutic relationship with the older persons. 2. Introduce other styles or instruments to alter mood. 3. Be understanding and respectful to the different attitude manifested by the older persons. 4. Indulge yourself in being compassionate and the acceptance of their limitations in every way.

5. Music that is familiar to the patient can evoke a more positive response than unfamiliar music. Donts: 1. Never attempt to force the older persons in abiding your plans, patience and therapeutic communication is important. 2. Never use too loud music. 3. Never involve the older persons in a risky recreation that might cause them injuries. 4. Never impose activities based on what a Nurse wants but should base on proper assessment on what the elderly wants. Benefits of Recreation and Music Therapy: 1. Research shows the achieved positive results from Music and Recreation in controlling pain perception is transferable to a care of the elderly scenario, where chronic pain is often part of daily life. 2. Its often said that Music can calm the beast. Music can relax the minds and help in achieving the highest potential level of functioning. 3. Music and some physical recreational activities can act as a catalyst, releasing emotions and opening better channels of social development. 4. Music could be used as an alternative method of communication when the cognitive ability to receive and express language has gone. 5. It increases physical movement for the older persons thus including their circulation.

References: Clair, Alicia Ann. Therapeutic Uses of Music with Older Adults. Baltimore, MD: Health Professions Press, 2006. Cowper, William. "Music and Recollection."The Healing Arts: An Oxford Illustrated Anthology. Ed. R.S. Downie. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004: 201.

Recreational and Music Therapy

Submitted to: Dr. Tita C. Senal

Submitted by: Elditha C. Alvarez, SN, USLS