3 Unique and Effective Therapies Used in Assisted Living

3 Unique and Effective Therapies Used in Assisted Living

3_Unique_and_Effective_Therapies_Used_in_Assisted_Living

Top-quality senior living communities understand that they can’t rest on their past laurels; instead, management and staff look for new ways to engage and serve their residents. Over the past few years, research has pointed out the value of three unique and effective therapies beneficial to assisted living residents.

1. Pet therapy

For many seniors, the thought of living in a community where pets are not allowed can make them stubbornly refuse to move, even when the move is in their best interest. Happily, many senior communities now recognize the health benefits of pets, and offer pet therapy for residents. They typically partner with trained pet therapy volunteers who bring gentle, well-trained dogs and cats for regular visits.

Though you can just tell how much happier mom is when a cat is purring on her lap, scientists have put the idea of pets as therapeutic to the test, and results confirm the health benefits. Research shows that spending just 15 minutes with an animal generates a positive chemical chain reaction that lowers the level of the “bad” stress hormone cortisol, and raises the level of the “happy” hormone serotonin. This can result in lower blood pressure, a slower heart rate and reduced stress levels. But beyond the measurable physical benefits is something perhaps even more important for your loved one: the companionship, unconditional love, and social stimulation that a pet provides to a sometimes-lonely senior. For loved ones with dementia/Alzheimer’s, pet therapy has been shown to reduce agitation and induce positive memories of their own beloved four-legged companions.

2. Music therapy

Music accompanies us throughout our life, from the time when we were babies and our parents played and sang songs to us, through our teens and adulthood. Why then, should music disappear from the lives of our elder loved ones? As Dan Cohen, founder of the non-profit Music and Memory explains, music has power and we need to make sure our elders have regular access to the background music of their lives.

Music therapy has a powerful impact on the ability of dementia sufferers to retrieve memories; those who have studied this observe such people often “awake” and even sing along to old favorite songs. This is because music is stored throughout the brain and so even when hearing and speaking skills are lost to age and/or illness, music remains deeply embedded across the brain’s neuro-network.

Many senior assisted living communities offer regular music therapy, and some provide residents with their own digital music player that’s been loaded with the songs of their lives. Communities also frequently offer regular music hours where staff play songs that residents of similar age groups will recognize and enjoy. One key to making music therapy effective is its regular availability.

3. Art therapy

Like music, art is a uniquely human phenomenon and something that surrounds us our entire life, even if we often don’t notice. Art therapy, like music therapy, is another tool that’s been found to be effective for seniors of all cognitive abilities. For a normal elder loved one, art therapy can help facilitate communication, encourage engagement with others, promote a sense of self-value and awareness and improve cognitive and motor skills.

Art therapy for memory care residents gives them a non-verbal tool to communicate at a deep and personal level, and so is frequently used with dementia/Alzheimer’s patients. Many senior communities offer art programs and some bring in certified art therapists trained in using art to enhance senior’s well-being.

When you’re seeking an assisted living community, find out about the specialized therapies offered there. What therapy would benefit your loved one?

{{cta(’42f819b2-e3bd-44a1-906d-f57c329152a8′)}}

Simplicity At Its Finest

Our Senior Solutions blog aims to provide news and articles to help you along your senior living journey. Subscribe today and receive new blog posts right to your inbox!

  • Health & Nutrition Tips
  • Caregiver Resources
  • Senior Living News

Recent Posts