Music and Quality of Life in Older Adults

Music and Quality of Life in Older Adults

Don D. Coffman

http://ojs.vre.upei.ca/index.php/psychomusicology/article/viewArticle/392

Psychomusicology: Music, Mind & Brain, Vol 18, No 1-2 (2002)

Abstract

This article briefly reviews some basic issues of adult development and measures used in assessing quality of life as a background for reviewing music studies with healthy older adults. Research shows that music activities (both music listening and music making) can influence older adults’ perceptions about the quality of their lives. Some research has examined the effects of music listening on biological markers of health and subjective perceptions of well-being. Other studies on the psychological and social benefits associated with music making activities have demonstrated that participants often place considerable value on these “nonmusical” benefits of music activity.

Keywords

music listening; quality of life; older adults; music making; adult development; measures; musical activities