WEBVTT 00:00:01.059 --> 00:00:04.339 Here's something surprising. One of the simplest 00:00:04.339 --> 00:00:07.860 ways to get seniors moving more is turning on 00:00:07.860 --> 00:00:11.359 the right music. Really. Today I'm going to show 00:00:11.359 --> 00:00:14.160 you how music can wake up stiff joints, spark 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:17.120 energy, and make movement feel easier and more 00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:20.160 fun, even for someone who struggles to get going. 00:00:20.899 --> 00:00:24.100 I'm Robin Schiltz, Senior Home Safety Specialist, 00:00:24.120 --> 00:00:26.940 and I've seen music help older adults move better 00:00:26.940 --> 00:00:30.160 for years. So let me show you how you can use 00:00:30.160 --> 00:00:33.520 it too. You know, when we think about exercise 00:00:33.520 --> 00:00:36.719 or staying active, we usually picture routines 00:00:36.719 --> 00:00:39.960 and structured programs. But the truth is, most 00:00:39.960 --> 00:00:42.920 of us move more when something pulls us into 00:00:42.920 --> 00:00:46.740 doing it. And music does exactly that. It connects 00:00:46.740 --> 00:00:50.759 to the body in a very natural and instinctive 00:00:50.759 --> 00:00:53.479 way. It's like the rhythm kind of taps you on 00:00:53.479 --> 00:00:56.280 the shoulder and says, come on, just sway a little 00:00:56.280 --> 00:01:00.570 bit, right? Music gives the body cues. It sets 00:01:00.570 --> 00:01:03.530 a pace. It gives your brain something to follow. 00:01:03.990 --> 00:01:06.670 And that's a huge thing for older adults who 00:01:06.670 --> 00:01:09.730 deal with stiffness and pain and low motivation. 00:01:10.670 --> 00:01:14.670 Here's what I mean. Firstly, music lights up 00:01:14.670 --> 00:01:17.599 the brain. When an older adult hears a favorite 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:21.060 song, it wakes up memory centers, emotional centers, 00:01:21.340 --> 00:01:24.459 and motor centers all at the same time. And when 00:01:24.459 --> 00:01:27.239 those parts of the brain fire together, the body 00:01:27.239 --> 00:01:30.359 often responds with gentle movement. It might 00:01:30.359 --> 00:01:33.019 be tapping a finger or bouncing your foot or 00:01:33.019 --> 00:01:36.219 a little rocking back and forth. That small movement 00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:38.739 is the doorway into bigger movement, though. 00:01:39.799 --> 00:01:43.060 Secondly, music actually reduces the feeling 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:46.219 of effort. When you're focused on a beat, you're 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:49.540 not focused on pain or fatigue. So someone who 00:01:49.540 --> 00:01:53.239 normally says, no, I can't walk that far, might 00:01:53.239 --> 00:01:55.680 suddenly walk further because the music gives 00:01:55.680 --> 00:01:59.040 them something else to focus on. You've probably 00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:01.980 felt that yourself. A good song comes on and 00:02:01.980 --> 00:02:04.120 suddenly the chore you were dreading doesn't 00:02:04.120 --> 00:02:09.150 seem so bad. Third, Music encourages steady pacing. 00:02:09.669 --> 00:02:12.689 This is especially helpful for seniors with balance 00:02:12.689 --> 00:02:16.409 issues or conditions like Parkinson's. A steady 00:02:16.409 --> 00:02:19.569 beat can cue the brain to take smoother, more 00:02:19.569 --> 00:02:23.129 even steps. This really works. I've seen seniors 00:02:23.129 --> 00:02:26.449 go from shuffling and hesitating to lifting their 00:02:26.449 --> 00:02:29.349 feet and walking with more confidence just because 00:02:29.349 --> 00:02:32.530 the right rhythm was playing. But here's something 00:02:32.530 --> 00:02:36.439 else. Music does not have to mean dancing. We 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:39.500 sometimes think of dancing as big motions and 00:02:39.500 --> 00:02:43.039 fast moves, but movement can be small and still 00:02:43.039 --> 00:02:46.860 be powerful. Just things like arm circles and 00:02:46.860 --> 00:02:50.240 shoulder rolls and seated marching or twisting 00:02:50.240 --> 00:02:53.800 gently. Even singing along is movement because 00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:57.000 it opens the lungs and supports breathwork, which 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:00.909 boosts energy. So how do you use music to encourage 00:03:00.909 --> 00:03:04.250 movement at home? Well, you start simple. You 00:03:04.250 --> 00:03:07.729 pick familiar songs, like favorites from someone's 00:03:07.729 --> 00:03:11.370 teens or 20s. That almost always works. Those 00:03:11.370 --> 00:03:14.550 years create emotional anchors, and when music 00:03:14.550 --> 00:03:17.949 from those eras play, something inside lights 00:03:17.949 --> 00:03:21.150 up. You want to keep the volume comfortable. 00:03:21.590 --> 00:03:24.789 Loud is not motivating if it overwhelms the senses. 00:03:24.949 --> 00:03:28.360 You want the music to feel inviting. You also 00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:31.379 want to choose music with a steady beat. Think 00:03:31.379 --> 00:03:36.060 something like soft rock, swing, Motown, or even 00:03:36.060 --> 00:03:39.759 upbeat classical pieces. Then you want to match 00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:43.599 the movement to the music. Slow song, do some 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:47.300 gentle stretching. Mid -tempo song, march in 00:03:47.300 --> 00:03:51.360 place or sway. Upbeat song, if it's safe, maybe 00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:53.599 a little dancing by holding on to the counter. 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:57.759 And here's an important reminder. Movement should 00:03:57.759 --> 00:04:01.259 feel accessible, not intimidating. The goal is 00:04:01.259 --> 00:04:04.840 not to create a workout, per se. The goal is 00:04:04.840 --> 00:04:08.020 to spark some happiness and make the body feel 00:04:08.020 --> 00:04:11.759 alive again. Just a few minutes is enough. And 00:04:11.759 --> 00:04:14.599 when seniors move in a relaxed, natural way, 00:04:14.840 --> 00:04:17.199 their joints warm up, their balance improves, 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:20.740 and their confidence grows. Another big benefit 00:04:20.740 --> 00:04:24.779 is that music lowers stress. When the body relaxes, 00:04:25.040 --> 00:04:27.699 movement becomes safer. So if you're trying to 00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:30.079 help a loved one get moving, but they're anxious 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:33.600 or resistant, start by simply playing a calming 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:36.420 song they enjoy. Don't even ask them to move. 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:40.360 Just let the music gently shift the mood. Sometimes 00:04:40.360 --> 00:04:44.079 the movement follows on its own. And for caregivers, 00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:47.740 this can be a really great way to connect. Music 00:04:47.740 --> 00:04:50.579 opens a door. gives you something to do together 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:53.519 without any pressure. You're not exercising. 00:04:53.920 --> 00:04:57.100 You're sharing a moment. You're relaxing in the 00:04:57.100 --> 00:04:59.540 atmosphere. You're giving the person a sense 00:04:59.540 --> 00:05:02.220 of control because they can choose the songs, 00:05:02.439 --> 00:05:06.160 set the tempo, and move in their own way. Before 00:05:06.160 --> 00:05:09.660 I wrap up, here's one more tip. Create short 00:05:09.660 --> 00:05:12.980 playlists for different times of the day. One 00:05:12.980 --> 00:05:16.100 for morning energy, a different one for afternoon 00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:19.019 stretching, another one for evening calming. 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:22.060 When the playlist becomes part of the routine, 00:05:22.300 --> 00:05:25.939 movement becomes part of the routine too. All 00:05:25.939 --> 00:05:28.279 right, my friends, that is your gentle reminder 00:05:28.279 --> 00:05:31.490 for today. Movement does not have to be big or 00:05:31.490 --> 00:05:34.449 formal. Sometimes all it takes is turning on 00:05:34.449 --> 00:05:37.290 a song that makes someone smile. And before you 00:05:37.290 --> 00:05:39.529 know it, they're tapping their toes and waking 00:05:39.529 --> 00:05:42.509 up muscles that haven't moved in a while. It's 00:05:42.509 --> 00:05:45.550 simple, it's joyful, and it's one of the easiest 00:05:45.550 --> 00:05:48.889 tools we have. So thanks for joining me today. 00:05:49.069 --> 00:05:51.410 If this episode brought a little peace to your 00:05:51.410 --> 00:05:53.810 day, please share it with someone you care about. 00:05:54.129 --> 00:05:56.889 Maybe someone who could use a reminder to pause 00:05:56.889 --> 00:06:00.399 and reflect. You'll find more sources for seniors 00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:04.339 and caregivers at seniorsafetyadvice .com. And 00:06:04.339 --> 00:06:07.279 come back tomorrow for another daily moment of 00:06:07.279 --> 00:06:10.000 guidance and encouragement right here on the 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:13.459 Senior Safety Advice Podcast. Until next time, 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:15.360 take care. Bye.