Intergenerational music-making – a vehicle for active ageing for children and older people

The goal of the present chapter is to review studies that illustrate the positive impact of intergenerational music-making on the physical, social, emotional and cognitive wellbeing of children and older people. Intergenerational practice has been found to promote active ageing by supporting generativity, the feeling of providing for succeeding generations, and lifelong learning associated with meeting new challenges and learning new skills. It has also been found to promote the development of social relationships and interactions that lead to dissolution of stereotypes of older adults as decrepit and dependent and of children as rude and insensitive. Closely linked with the idea of generativity is that intergenerational practice in music can support three facets of well being that have been identified as social affirmation, purpose, and control/autonomy. The chapter discusses the benefits and challenges of intergenerational practice through the example of three programmes and concludes with recommendations to facilitators

Active ageing with music: supporting wellbeing in the third and fourth ages

Active Ageing with Music explores the powerful potential for active music-making to support wellbeing among older people. While major demographic transitions are currently underway, significant problems of social isolation, depression, and chronic disease among older people have been noted, requiring cost-effective and compassionate responses. This book demonstrates that engagement in active music-making offers just such a response

Does active engagement in community music support the well-being of older people?

Background: There is considerable evidence that participating in music making can have benefits for children and young people. This research explored how participation in making music might support the social, emotional and cognitive well-being of older people. Methods: Comparisons were made between older people participating in a wide range of musical and other activities in relation to their responses to questionnaires and psychological needs scales (the CASP-12 and the Basic Needs Satisfaction Scale, Deci and Ryan, 2000). Comparisons were also made between those older people participating in the musical activities who were in the 3rd and 4th ages. Results: Factor analysis of responses revealed three factors: Purpose (having a positive outlook on life); Autonomy and Control; and Social Affirmation (positive social relationships, competence and a sense of recognised accomplishment). Comparisons between those participating in the music groups and those participating in other activities revealed statistically significant differences on all three factors with the music groups giving more positive responses. There was also no deterioration in responses in the music groups between those in the 3rd and 4th ages as might have been expected except in relation to purpose. Conclusions: Actively participating in making music has beneficial effects on the wellbeing of older people. Further research needs to identify the mechanisms through which music is able to achieve these effects