Music

Recently, the young actor Timothee Chalamet created a stir when he stated that “no one cares about ballet and opera.” Although the backlash was swift and strong, there is no doubt that classical art forms are struggling in the modern world. The audiences are aging out, ticket sales and funding are dwindling…

The way we listen to music has seen significant changes over the decades. Most of us over 60 have witnessed nearly every format come and go, from vinyl to Spotify, and everything in between. Remember 8-tacks and cassettes? We have certainly come a long way.

Most women over 60 grew up with music that filled an entire house – vinyl spinning in the living room, radios humming in the kitchen, and songs you could feel in your chest. Today, technology has taken…

Music is more than just entertainment – it’s memory, emotion, connection, and legacy. For those of us caring for aging loved ones, it can also be a powerful way to honor their journey, spark meaningful conversations, and create moments of deep connection. That’s why I’m…

When you’re choosing or evaluating a senior living community for your loved one, it’s easy to focus on safety, meals, and medical care – and all of those matter deeply. But there’s another element that often gets overlooked and is just as essential to their quality of life: entertainment…

While virtual programs peaked during Covid, a new Northwestern University study shows that virtual group singing can significantly improve emotional well-being and cognition while reducing loneliness among older adults – anytime, anywhere! The study found that older adults…

The first time I held a musical instrument changed me. The tiny 12-bass accordion came down from the attic, unplayed since my mom was a child. A teacher named Mrs. Daniels suffered through my scales as I learned how to play and read the notes. Then came Aunt…

As we age, social connections can become harder to maintain. Retirement, the loss of loved ones, mobility challenges, or even global events like pandemics can leave older adults feeling isolated and alone. But what if the key to combating loneliness was something…

“You may not see me, but you’re damn well going to hear me!” My good friend, Anna, boomed out to a male server in a coffee shop who refused to “see” her waiting next in line to give her order. Anna, who is 72, is a theatre actor whose well-trained voice…

My last article for Sixty and Me covered the topic of social prescribing – connecting individuals to non-medical interventions to improve health and well-being. As I highlighted, music is one of the most powerful tools in this approach, offering a unique…