The article by Zanini and Leao titled "Therapeutic Choir-A Music Therapist Looks at the New Millennium Elderly" brings to the forefront several important aspects that are decisively relevant in our current world and becoming increasingly significant in the years to come. First, our society needs to recognize that our population is aging. Granted, this seems a bit obvious, especially when we consider that the aging process begins at birth and continues throughout our life spans. Second, our society needs to acknowledge the value of our older adult population. As an important subset of this point, older adults need to value themselves. Third, our music therapy community needs to identify and implement ways in which music therapy can promote healthy aging in older adults. Ideas like the therapeutic choir, documented with empirical data, are the way I see this occurring.
So, I mentioned that our population is getting older. I especially find evidence of this in the United States where our "baby boomers" are now turning into "elder boomers"! Couple that with the fact that medical advances are enabling us to live longer and the picture becomes clearer. I seem to recall a time when we were taught to respect our elders; I do not currently see as much evidence of that way of thinking. Conversely, younger folks often seem to regard older folks as having lived out their usefulness. What ever happened to valuing the encompassing life experiences and wisdom gained therein?
A sad result of this loss of value is reflected in a lack of self-esteem evident in many older adults. As people begin to feel some consequences of the aging process, including loss of loved ones, diminished strength, or failing health, the addition of feelings of decreased self-worth is something that can and should be prevented.
In the realm of music therapy, we know the value of group music experiences like the therapeutic choir. We have evidence of increased self-esteem, a brighter outlook on the future, a positive outlet for self-expression, a gained sense of identity, and other benefits attained from this type of therapeutic, music-making experience.
Presently, I spend an hour every Monday afternoon with a group of healthy older adults at a community center. The music therapy activity initiated with this group was playing hand chimes. Based (primarily!) on this activity, the group decided they should name themselves the Ding-a-lings. Last week, the Ding-a-lings were taught Buffalo Gals on the dulcimer. This being Kentucky, they were at least familiar with the dulcimer since it has strong roots in the mountains of Kentucky; however, most of the group had never played a dulcimer before. They were great! More importantly, they learned something completely new and different, they shared a sense of pride and a feeling of camaraderie, and they exercised a few cognitive skills in the process. To me, this group of older adults personifies the idea that aging is a dynamic process and that we continue to evolve creatively at every age.