Music and ageing

Aging of the population and health care costs related to ageing have become increasingly important in Australia. Currently the baby boomers demographic are the highest population within this country. The baby boomers birth years is from 1946 - 1960, therefore most of these people are getting closer to retirement age and more dependent on our health care system. Associated with ageing is a range of conditions ranging from deteriorating cognitive and/or psychosocial functions. Musical therapies and musical interventions can induce psychological and cognitive benefits and also have a potential to have a major contribution to the quality of life in the ageing population. Music contributes towards positive self-esteem, enhances feelings of competence and independence and can lessen the experience of social isolation. It is suggested that our ability to perceive music might be based on the same neural resources that operate other higher cognitive functions such as speech and spatial processing. Research shows that musical activity through the lifespan maintains brain plasticity and this in turn has a positive effect on preserving cognitive functioning in people as they age. This study attempts to discuss the relationship between music, psychosocial and cognitive functioning