Month: February 2025

A tropical vacation in a bottle.

A tropical vacation in a bottle.

As we age, social connections can become harder to maintain. Retirement, the loss of loved ones, mobility challenges, or even global events like pandemics can leave older adults feeling isolated and alone. But what if the key to combating loneliness was something as simple and universal as music?

Music has a unique power to bring people together, evoke emotions, and create a sense of belonging. For older adults, music isn’t just a source of joy – it can be a lifeline to connection and community. In this article, we’ll explore how music can help combat social isolation and provide practical tips for incorporating it into daily life.

The Link Between Music and Social Connection

Music has always been a communal experience. From ancient drum circles to modern-day concerts, humans have used music to connect with one another. For older adults, group music activities like choirs, drum circles, or dance classes offer more than just entertainment – they create opportunities for meaningful social interaction.

Research shows that shared musical experiences can strengthen bonds and improve mood. Numerous studies, including this one published in The National Library of Medicine found that group singing significantly reduced feelings of loneliness and increased social connectedness among older adults. Whether it’s harmonizing in a choir or tapping your feet to a favorite tune, music has a way of breaking down barriers and fostering connection.

Virtual Music Programs for Isolated Seniors

For older adults who are homebound or live in areas with limited social opportunities, technology has opened up new possibilities for connection. Virtual music programs allow seniors to participate in group activities from the comfort of their homes.

Platforms like Sage Stream offer live-streamed music classes, concerts, and therapy sessions tailored for older adults. Virtual choirs, where participants record their parts individually and then blend them into a harmonious whole, have also gained popularity. These programs not only provide a creative outlet but also a sense of community and belonging.

Music as a Tool for Intergenerational Connection

Music has the power to bridge generational divides. Programs that connect older adults with younger generations through music can be incredibly rewarding for both groups. For example, school choirs performing at senior centers or collaborative music projects can create lasting bonds and mutual understanding.

One inspiring example is the Intergenerational Music Making program, which pairs older adults with schoolchildren to create music together. These interactions not only reduce isolation for seniors but also teach younger generations empathy and respect for their elders. As one participant shared, “It’s amazing how music can bring people together, no matter their age.”

Practical Tips for Incorporating Music into Daily Life

You don’t need to be a professional musician to reap the social benefits of music. Here are some simple ways older adults can use music to stay connected:

Join a Local Music Group

Many communities offer senior choirs, drum circles, or dance classes. Check with your local senior center or community center for opportunities.

Create and Share Playlists

Curate playlists of your favorite songs and share them with friends or family. It’s a great way to spark conversations and reminisce about shared memories.

Attend Live Performances

Whether it’s a local concert or a virtual event, attending live music performances can be a social and uplifting experience.

Explore Virtual Music Programs

Platforms like Sage Stream offer a variety of music-based activities designed for older adults. From live-streamed concerts to interactive classes, there’s something for everyone.

Personal Stories: The Transformative Power of Music

The impact of music on social connection is best illustrated through personal stories. Take Margaret, an 82-year-old widow who joined a virtual choir during the pandemic. “I was feeling so alone,” she shared. “But singing with others, even online, made me feel like I was part of something bigger. It gave me a reason to get up in the morning.”

Or consider John, a retired teacher who started attending drum circles at his local senior center. “I’ve made so many new friends,” he said. “We laugh, we create music together, and we support each other. It’s been life-changing.”

Conclusion: Music as a Lifeline to Connection

Social isolation doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of aging. Music offers a powerful tool for building connections, fostering community, and improving overall well-being. Whether it’s through group activities, virtual programs, or intergenerational projects, music can help older adults feel seen, heard, and valued.

So, why not turn up the volume on your favorite song, join a local music group, or explore a virtual music program today? You might just find that the rhythm of connection is closer than you think.

Also read, Music Can Do More Than Entertain – It Can Help Those with Dementia.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Does music help you when you feel lonely? Do you connect with people through music? Which songs do you enjoy the most?

A tropical vacation in a bottle.

Amidst the natural disasters, troubling news and unsettled political climate that surrounds me lately, I’ve had to level up my intentions for a peaceful and content life, adding a few extra habits into my daily practice that help me maintain an optimistic spirit, even when it feels like my train is being derailed.

I enlist these daily habits to shield me during those times when bad news, harsh words and rude behavior threaten to nestle deep into my psyche and affect how I interact with others, how I see myself through their eyes, and how I perceive the world around me. All external influences that can, if I give them the power, affect my day, my mood, and ultimately could turn me into a sullen, grumpy old woman.

These incidents are not necessarily intended to harm me. It’s just people moving through their day reacting to what’s happening to them. But, when enough of them pile up it causes a chain reaction that travels from person to person, potentially leaving everyone feeling disgruntled or disturbed.

Think of standing in a long line, waiting to check out at a crowded market. Everyone jockeying for position attempting to predict which aisle will move the fastest, sizing up the contents of people’s carts, calculating how long this is going to take. You can feel the frustration in the air. We’re all stuck there together, but somehow a sense of competition emerges, and some people become aggressive. Someone says something rude, intrudes on another’s personal space, becomes visibly frustrated and the mood of the entire group begins to deteriorate.

So, how do I avoid letting these inconsequential moments alter my state of mind? I prepare for them. I set myself up with a defense, a fallback thought, mantra or pleasant image held at the ready. Something I know will lighten the load and remind me that life is full of magical moments, beauty and kindness if I only take the time to notice.

I Start Early

Each morning, as I sip my chai while catching up on correspondence and social media, which by the way I curate to only include like-minded influences, I gather happy news, touching stories, motivational quotes and I make note, holding them available to reflect upon later in the day.

I Reserve Time to Be Alone with My Thoughts

I am always up before dawn. It’s a habit I adopted when I began writing a decade ago. I spend an hour or so writing or corresponding with trusted friends before I allow anyone else into my predawn world. It gives me a chance to focus on what truly matters to me, as I decide what I’m going to carry out into my day.

I Engage in Nature’s Beauty

One habit I’ve built is sitting in an eastern facing window so I can gaze out onto the early morning landscape, watching the sun rise and the sky turn colors. I remind myself that no matter what’s happening in the constructed world, the natural world goes on just as it is. Its constant and consistent presence comforts me.

I Move My Body

More and more research reveals how exercise positively affects mood. It’s common knowledge that serotonin and endorphins are released into the blood stream with strenuous activity like running, biking, aerobics and hiking mountain trails. But more recent studies have discovered Myokines, proteins released into the blood streams as muscles contract, acting as an antidepressant, improving mood, strengthening resistance to stress and boosting our ability to learn.

Strength training, body weight resistant exercise, like squats and pushups, which conveniently require no equipment, are excellent choices. I prefer hiking steep trails in the early morning, but when the weather is unfavorable, I turn to my rebounder. A ten-minute workout gets my heart rate up and initiates proprioception to improve my balance and agility. I do my routine to music that prompts happy memories or motivates me to dance, so by the time I’m done, I’m feeling upbeat and energized.

I Stock Up

Our bodies need calories and nutrition to be at their best, but the findings of recent gastroenterological research show we also need to feed the microbiome to ensure a diverse and plentiful population of bacteria. There is compelling evidence that the health of our gut affects our mental state.

In addition to eating a varied diet of meat, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains and fermented foods, I begin my day with a spoonful of sauerkraut and a small serving of kefir to keep my microbiome happy which in turn does the same for me.

Mantras, Quotes and Reminders

Sometimes, I need to be reminded not to take things personally or take on someone else’s troubles as my own. It helps to have a handy saying to repeat in my head when those occasions arise.

These are my three favorites right now:

People see you not as you are, but as they are.

Not my circus, not my monkeys.

It’s better to be kind than right.

These clever and helpful trinkets travel with me in my mental pocket, so I can reach for them when needed.

A Quick Gratitude Check

I also remind myself at the start of my day how fortunate I am. I take stock of my life, admit what is of concern but put it in context as best I can and begin my day on a positive note. So when things don’t go my way, I have something to reassure me I’m still better off than I could be.

Is this an overly simplified solution to life’s hurdles and complications? Perhaps. I’m no different than anyone else. There are times when I have to dig in and settle some real-life problems, face the heart wrenching grief of true loss and admit aging is challenging, but honestly, I see no harm in taking an alternate route for a more pleasant drive through life, as long as I can.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How do you set yourself up for a good day? Which part of your routine prepares you for the ups and downs you might encounter?