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After my mom’s stroke, I began pursuing various treatment options to help improve her skills and increase her self-esteem which was greatly compromised by her declining abilities. I had always been hesitant about pursuing alternative therapies, because I didn’t see hw non-medical methods could possibly work. But my thought was; what could it hurt? So I began researching holistic and alternative treatments, including music therapy, to see how they might benefit her.

According to some sources, there is further research being conducted into the specific benefits upon stroke patients, since it recalls recall and recognition of auditory patterns, researchers are hopeful that music might help rebuild the cells impacted by the stroke. That was all I needed to read to start incorporating music into my mother’s regular routine. I wasn’t ready to invest in a musical therapist, but tried to recreate the benefits at home with the help of her full-time, professional caregiver. 

I purchased some classical and Broadway music CD’s that I knew my mom would enjoy. I would put one on every time I came by to visit and encourage her to sing, clap and move to the music. Sometimes it felt a little silly dancing around her home and belting out some of her favorite show tunes, but I lost my self-consciousness once I began to see the benefits upon my mother with my own eyes.

I can’t attest to the impact it’s having upon her mind and body, but I can tell you what it was doing to her overall well-being. She was happy and carefree both during our musical times together and on a day-to-day basis. I knew it took her away from the concerns in her mind, and that she came to really enjoy the time we spent together doing these activities. I can see that my mom is more relaxed and has a smile on her face more often; so even if the music therapy benefits her in no other ways, it’s worth it; because what can be better than knowing you can make your mom smile?
 
Sources: http://www.artsforhealing.org/seniors.php
               http://www.musicworkswonders.com/html/seniors.html

Aging adults in Austin, Texas can decrease their risk of disability and increase the potential to remain  independent by participating in a walking exercise program, a University of Georgia study shows.

Researchers randomly assigned 26 low income adults age 60 and older to either a walking exercise group, which met three times a week for four months, or a nutrition education control group. The results from the study show that walking, on a regular basis, can make a huge impact on quality of life:

• The control group saw a 9 percent decline in aerobic capacity over the four month study period, the aerobic capacity of the walking group increased 19 percent.
• Researchers found that physical function increased 25 percent in the walking group, compared to a 1 percent decline in the control group.
• The walking exercise group saw its disability risk go from 66 percent to 25 percent, a 41 percent decrease in just four months. The control group saw its risk of disability increase during the study period.

More information on the study, which appears in the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, is available in the press release. http://www.uga.edu/news/artman/publish/080715_walking.shtml 

Home Instead Senior Care Austin can help your elder establish a regular walking program with your elder family member. Our CAREGivers help these older adults stay independent. Please call us for more information at 512-347-9207.