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A new study revealed the health benefits music offers older adults, ranging from stress relief and enhanced mood to cognitive vitality and social connections.

The study examined older adults' experiences with and attitudes toward listening to and creating music. Nearly all adult respondents (98%) reported deriving some health-related advantage from music. These benefits include stress reduction or relaxation, feelings of joy, improved mental well-being, the ability to evoke memories or recollect life events and increased motivation and energy.

Additionally, based on data from an online and telephone survey in July and August 2023, involving 2,657 older adults aged 50 to 80 years, the "The Sound of Music" report highlighted the significant role music plays in the lives of older adults, especially in light of ongoing challenges facing public support for the arts.

University of Michigan Medical School professor Dr. Joel Howell emphasized the profound impact of music on human existence, noting its capacity to bring joy and purpose to life. Many survey participants also reported spiritual or religious connections, cognitive sharpening, social connectedness, and pain reduction through music.

Music as a universal language

The survey further revealed that a large majority of respondents engage with music regularly, with 85 percent listening to music several times a week, 80 percent watching musical performances in the past year, and 41 percent attending live musical events during the same period. Moreover, a significant portion of participants reported making music with others, either by singing in a choir or playing instruments together.

However, disparities in music engagement and its health impacts were observed among different demographic groups. Those reporting fair or poor health status, or feelings of isolation, were less likely to engage with music on a daily basis. Dr. Howell stressed the importance of recognizing music's potential in mitigating the adverse effects of loneliness and social isolation.

Poll Director Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren highlighted music's power to foster connections, uplift mood, and alleviate pain, underscoring its potential as a valuable tool for improving well-being. Sarah Lenz Lock, of the AARP and the Global Council on Brain Health, supported this sentiment, describing music as a universal language with the ability to enhance overall health and enrich brain function.