Perspectives on research and clinical practice in music therapy for older people with depression

In older age, context factors common for depression in adulthood persist, while circumstances typical for later life periods (physical frailty, burden through family caregiving, loss of family members, co-occurring dementia) may aggravate a patient’s situation. Using joint singing, playing music, and listening to music in one-to-one or group settings, music therapy can provide unique experiences for older adults with depression, enabling them to reduce isolation, improve mood, increase self-esteem, and reflect on current problems and central themes of their lives. A clinical working model of music therapy illustrates complex challenges and possibilities in the treatment of depression in older age.