Aging is a normal process that we all go through. This contemporary era has developed numerous beneficial methods for slowing the rate of aging, assisting people whose lives have altered, and creating a bright future. With significant research and labor, medical experts have developed many therapies that may benefit aging elders in one or even more ways. Consider a few of the most recent and popular treatments.
Animal Therapies
Even if it's a beloved dog or a visit to the local animal shelter to cuddle kittens, research suggests that animals help alleviate the feelings of loneliness or isolation that can lead to despair. There are specialized animals taught to assist individuals in need; this is known as animal-assisted therapy. Creatures of all kinds and sizes and human contact with them are referred to as human-animal interaction (HAI). According to research, expanding the use of animals in therapeutic settings has a favorable influence on personal health.
Cardiovascular health is one of the most explored issues in the field of HAI. Pet ownership and affiliation may decrease blood pressure and pulse rate and facilitate a quicker response from emotional pain. This sort of treatment can also help with depression and anxiety. Animal-assisted activities have been linked to decreased depression/loneliness in groups of older individuals who do not have cognitive impairment. Animal therapy has a positive impact on not only mental health but also physical health. Animals can encourage increased physical exercise, and one research discovered that older individuals who exercised an animal had less degradation in their ability to perform regular, everyday tasks. Animals are unique, and they have a lot of influence on healthy aging.
Music Therapies
Musical therapy can also assist older adults in several ways. Adults can gain from music therapy in various ways, ranging from music lessons to wellness groups that emphasize music. Now, there is an increasing number of possibilities and therapists that provide this type of assistance to persons of different ages, particularly older folks. "...interventions by a specifically selected by a music therapist to accomplish the restoration, maintenance, or improvement of social or emotional functioning, mental processing, or physical health in an older adult," according to the Older American Act of 1992.
Those affected by dementia or Alzheimer's could differ in their ability to verbalize. Still, music therapy can enable them to sing some of their favorite tunes or repeat lines from familiar songs. Music can also help people preserve their memory and concentration. Sensory training and reality orientation, for example, both use music to reground individuals in actuality, providing an authentic environment for those with cognitive impairment. The social elements of music are also advantageous. When it comes to social circumstances, it can improve connection with others and stimulate self-expression. Overall, music therapy can have a more significant influence on many elements of aging individuals.
Of course, if you need assistance, you should consult a doctor or a medical expert. If you are worried about your health or the wellbeing of a loved one, make an appointment with your doctor to learn more about some of the most effective therapies for your specific circumstance. Look no farther than a stairlift for scenarios on the stairs such as dangers, fall prevention, and unstable mobility. A stair lift might alter the way you move around your house. Restore your sense of individuality by being able to utilize the stairs securely without the assistance of others. See some of our other posts for additional information on how a stairlift may improve your life in various ways. Visit our feedback form for an available, no-obligation estimate, and we will get back to you as soon as available.
Sources:
Gee, Nancy R, et al. “Human-Animal Interaction and Older Adults: An Overview.” Frontiers in Psychology, Frontiers Media S.A., 21 Aug. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5573436/.
Guy, Judy. “Music Therapy & Older Adults Fact Sheet.” The Music Therapy Center, www.themusictherapycenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/mtcca_olderadults.pdf.