Music Lessons May Help Your Brain Age Well

During our annual Music Festival at Parc Provence, we’ve been highlighting music’s therapeutic benefits. We’ve even invited the public to join us to see our residents in action while performing musical theater, dancing, playing instruments, and more. It’s easy to recognize the way these activities enhance the lives of senior residents at Parc Provence. However, people of all ages can tap in to the benefits. In fact, it has been shown that music lessons may help your brain age well.

How do music lessons help your brain age well?

While many parents have long suspected that having children learn to play an instrument would help their children become smarter, research has not supported this belief. Hours and money spent on lessons for the brain’s sake may not be for naught, however, because new evidence suggests the brain health benefits of learning to play music may be realized in the longer term.

How does musical training impact the brain?

A National Geographic article describes people who have had musical training as having a “larger volume of gray matter” than non-musicians. It also describes these people having evidence of increased white matter and more connections within the brain.

In previous articles about music therapy, we have detailed the way interaction with songs stimulates the entire brain. Scientists think this type of stimulation through musical training strengthens the brain. That is what helps it age well – more connections and volume mean there is more that must break down to cause noticeable problems if damage should occur.

Are people who didn’t take music lessons as children out of luck?

The earlier a person starts to learn to play an instrument, the better. However, starting musical instruction at any age can help your brain age well. That’s why senior residents at Parc Provence not only enjoy, but also see real benefits from music classes.

Parc Provence is Leading the Way in Memory Care

At Parc Provence, we use every tool at our disposal to provide the best assisted living with memory care. That’s why we love music classes and music therapy sessions that are enjoyable, provide an opportunity for reminiscence, allow for socialization, and help the brain age well. There’s no better feeling than when residents are enjoying themselves while promoting brain health!

If you or a loved one can benefit from assisted living with the finest memory care services available, contact Parc Provence today. We would love to schedule your personal tour.