Guidelines for Promoting Quality of Life for the Elderly Through Music Therapy Activities in Maha Sarakham Province

Abstract

This academic consists purposes to present guidelines for promoting the quality of life of the elderly through music therapy activities in a community context. The study examines a project promoting the quality of life for the elderly through music therapy in Maha Sarakham Province, which involved 60 elderly individuals in Tambon Koeng Mueang Maha Sarakham District. The project's concept is based on holistic health care encompassing physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions, under the concept of Active Ageing. This is achieved through the design of three music therapy activities: singing to stimulate memory and create emotional happiness; playing simple instruments to promote concentration and body coordination and physical movement to music to develop physical fitness and social relationships. The analysis revealed that music therapy activities contributed to promoting the well-being of the elderly in three main dimensions: physical, mental and emotional and social. The elderly showed improved mobility and balance, brighter moods, reduced anxiety, better group relationships and a greater sense of community belonging. Furthermore, the design of continuous activities, appropriate to the elderly's capabilities and opportunities for community participation were key factors in achieving sustainable positive outcomes. The knowledge gained from the project indicates that music therapy can be a tool for promoting holistic well-being of the elderly at the community level and can be appropriately applied as a guideline for developing quality of life promotion activities for the elderly in other areas.