Melodies of Well-Being: Examining the Influence of Community Music Care on Older Adults’ Well-Being

Journal

Journal of Gerontological Social Work

Year

2025

Abstract

Community music care is an innovative social practice that integrates community music therapy and music care to enhance the well-being of older adults. However, existing studies rarely present a comprehensive view of well-being from this perspective. This study explores the impact of community music care on older adults’ well-being using a mixed-method approach. The qualitative part involved semi-structured interviews with 10 community-dwelling older adults to understand their experiences and perceptions. The quantitative part surveyed 166 older adults in Penghu County, Taiwan—an area with a high aging population—to examine the correlation between music care and well-being. The results indicate that community music care significantly improves mental health, social interaction, and overall well-being. Interviews also revealed that music care strengthens emotional connections and alleviates loneliness. These findings offer practical insights for communities and long-term care institutions in designing music-based activities and provide a strategic foundation for policymakers to enhance older adults’ well-being through long-term care initiatives.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Wellness and Well-Being; Music Therapy; Recreative Music Methods; Community Music Experiences; Elderly; Mental Health; Interpersonal Relations; Psychological Outcomes; Emotional Functioning; Subjective Measures

Indexed Terms

community music care; Older adults; well-being

Study Type

Case Study; Qualitative Methods

PubMed ID

Publisher: Routledge _eprint: https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2025.2510585 PMID: 40493812

Document Type

Article

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