CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE MUSICAL ACTIVITIES IN OLDER PEOPLE QUALITY OF LIFE

The purpose of this study was: (a) To evaluate and to compare the impact of three music programs (choir, music appreciation and preventive music therapy sessions) on the quality of life of healthy older adults, and (b) to identify the motivation and the difficulties that the seniors encounter when participating in activities of this type in order to come up with recommendations and strategies for the design of appropriate programs for older adults. A pre-posttest quasiexperimental design without equivalent control group was used in this project. The sample included 83 persons over 65 years of age. The sampling was intentional. The data collection was carried out through an ad hoc questionnaire that included the four aspects of the construct of quality of life (physical health, subjective health, psychological wellbeing and interpersonal relations), a questionnaire on motivation and another on satisfaction about the program. This last questionnaire was administered twice: at the beginning of the programs (pre-test) and at the end (posttest). The results of this study indicate that the participants perceived improvements in some aspects of their quality of life. In addition, the main reasons which motivate participation in these musical activities are to broaden their social network and to acquire new knowledge. The results are discussed in the light of the challenges of active and satisfactory ageing. Today, in Spain the number of people older than 65 represents 16,6% of the population, and the population projections of the United Nations for the year 2050 indicate that this country will be third in the world with older people reaching 34,1% of the population, after Japan (35,9%) and Italy (35,5%) (Informe Personas Mayores Imserso, 2004). This noticeable increase in people older than 65 implies the need to establish actions and programs to contribute to their quality of life. In this sense, many countries, including Spain, are working towards promoting an active and satisfactory aging process. Active aging is defined as “the process of optimizing the opportunities for physical, cognitive and social wellbeing throughout life with the objective to increase a healthy life expectancy, productivity and quality of life in older age” (WHO, 2002, pg. 12). It is important to facilitate to this population not only the possibility to remain physically active, but also the opportunity to participate in social, economic, cultural, spiritual and civic activities throughout later life. Another important concept is that of satisfactory or successful aging. Rowe and Kahn (1997) indicate that although there is no fixed pattern of successful aging, the following characteristics tend to be involved: 1. A low probability of suffering diseases and disabilities associated with aging (health and ability). 2. A high level of physical and cognitive functioning. An active implication and commitment INFAD Revista de Psicología International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology, No1, 2009. ISSN: 0214-9877. pp: 303-312 303 NECESIDADES EDUCATIVAS ESPECIALES. CALIDAD DE VIDA Y SOCIEDAD ACTUAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE MUSICAL ACTIVITIES IN OLDER PEOPLE QUALITY OF LIFE C. Solé, M. Mercadal, S. Gallego y M. A. Riera Universitat Ramon Llull towards life. The development of a specific set of activities. Successful aging, as Rowe and Kahn (1997) explain, can be related to two types of basic activities: • Social activities, which are those activities that are able to maintain pleasant interpersonal relations to facilitate a socially healthy and independent life style. • Productive activities, which are those that are similarly capable of contributing to the maintenance of social life or personal growth. In this category, educational activities are important. With regard to the educational activities, recent studies indicate that older people can learn new things, and do them well (Mehrota, 2003). To be active and be part of social activities has a positive impact on the wellbeing of older people, particularly at a time of their lives when they are exposed to a number of loses (professional role retirement, changes in social circles, loss of spouses.). The relationship with other people is a good predictor of wellbeing and quality of life. Quality of life is understood as a multidimensional concept, consisting of the same dimensions for all people. It is influenced by environmental and personal factors and their interaction, and it is improved through self-determination, resources, inclusion and goals in life. Shalock i Verdugo (2002) indicate that quality of life is a concept that reflects a person’s desired life conditions in relation to eight basic needs which represent the nucleus of each person’s life dimensions: emotional wellbeing, interpersonal relations, material wellbeing, personal development, physical wellbeing, self-determination, social inclusion and rights. In the study that we propose, we will concentrate on four of the dimensions of quality of life: physical health, subjective health, emotional wellbeing and interpersonal relations. Being aware of the need to promote continuing education among older people, as elements of social transformation and as a means to dignify the person and to improve their quality of live, in 1978 the Spanish Cultural Ministry, initiated the program of Aules de la Tercera Edat (ATE) (Third age classrooms). These programs are aimed towards people older than 55 and intend to respond to their cultural demands, their wish to improve knowledge and keep up to date. They intend to act in two directions: 1. Cultural. They intend to generate individual and community capacity to live better and to have a more productive and creative leisure time. 2. Social. The main objective is to give older people the possibility to become integrated in groups; to promote their participation and recognition in the social task, and to collaborate with those institutions which carry out research on older people. These classrooms for older people become meeting points, spaces for dialogue, participation, and education through recreational, educational, and cultural activities. Older people have the opportunity to expand and enrich their interpersonal relations, to participate in the management and promotion of culture. Aging is accompanied by a decline in functioning, at the physiological and psychological level. One of the consequences that many older people have to face as they age is an increase in social isolation. Providing an environment that maximizes and prolongs functioning and promotes independence and well-being for as long as possible is recommended for this age group (Onishi, Masuda, Suzuki, Goth, Kawamura, & Igucvhi, 2006). There is ample literature reporting on the importance and benefits of music for older adults (Cohen et al., 2002; McCaffrey, 2008; Ruud, 1997). Listening to music appears to be rated as a very pleasant experience by older adults since it promotes relaxation, decreases anxiety and distracts people from unpleasant experiences (Cutshall, Fenske, Kelly, Phillips, Sundt & Bauer, 2007). The contributions of music on the quality of life and on life satisfaction of older people has been a topic of interest for researchers for some time (Venderak, Newman, & Bell, 1983) . Coffman (2002) reports that music activities (both passive and active) can affect older adults’ perceptions of their quality of life, placing a strong value on the non-musical dimensions of being involved in music activities such as physical, psychological and social aspects. Music appears to be a source of entertainment, an activity that allows older people to interact with others and share aspects of their life, and gives them an opportunity to connect with a sense of spirituality (Hays & Minichiello, 2005). Research up to the present time highlights some of the general benefits of music with older adults INFAD Revista de Psicología 304 International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology, No1, 2009. ISSN: 0214-9877. pp: 303-312 CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE MUSICAL ACTIVITIES IN OLDER PEOPLE QUALITY OF LIFE