Music Therapy and Sociological Theories of Aging

Music Therapy and Sociological Theories of AgingResidents of the United States (U.S.) are living longer than in previous decades. According to the 2011 Administration on Aging (AOA), older Americans are predicted to live an average of 18.8 years past the age of 65. The number of older Americans is also increasing exponentially. AOA reports that older Americans now represent 13.1% of the U.S. population, or one in every eight Americans (2011). In 2010, individuals over the age of 65 numbered 40.4 million, which is an increase of 15.3% from 2000 (AOA, 2011). The AOA proposes that in the year 2020, 55 million people aged 65 or older will reside in the United States, in contrast to the 35 million documented in 2000. Simply stated, more Americans are reaching old age and are living longer once they do. Given these demographics, it seems that music therapists will continue to have opportunities to practice with older adults. As such, integration of sociological theories of aging into music therapy practice may support its efficacy.Aging-Related TermsCertain terms are important to the understanding of how humans age. In this section, the concepts of aging, senescence, gerontology, geriatrics, elder, and ageism are defined. Aging is the gradual and complex developmental process of becoming older. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary Online, aging is defined as the process of "becoming old or showing the characteristics of increasing age." Although aging is generally regarded as a natural, organic process, secondary factors, such as psychological events or environmental toxins, can contribute to its course. The process of aging can be further delineated by the terms senescence, gerontology, and geriatrics. Senescence is the gradual, inevitable, and biological process of growing old (Clair & Memmott, 2008; De Mahalgaes, 2012; Websters Dictionary, 1977). Arking (2006) adds that senescence most noticeably occurs during the latter part of the life cycle, and that it is related to the increased mortality that is characteristic of the later stages of life. Gerontology is the systematic and multidisciplinary study of the phenomenon of aging, which examines the biological, social, psychological, and spiritual processes of growing old. A gerontologist is a specialist in one or more aspects of aging (Davis, 1999). Geriatrics is the medical subspecialty that deals with the care of elderly patients and their medical treatment. Geriatrics is more limited in scope than gerontology (Davis, 1999).Aging, like most human processes, occurs within a cultural context. Although aging can pertain solely to the passage of time, it can also be regarded as the natural acquisition of a desirable quality, such as "aging wine" (De Mahalgaes, 2012). Gerontologist Bill Thomas (2004) focused on three key developmental stages in life: childhood, adulthood, and elderhood. In cultures that recognize the positive virtues of aging, the term elder is used to refer to an older member of a family or community. Those societies that recognize elderhood as one of the developmental life stages believe that the elders are the bearers of wisdom and culture (Spector, 2009) and hold the place of highest respect, power, and value. For example, in traditional rural African societies, the term elder represents more than just an individual's age:A person's status as an elder in many African societies was dependent on certain social and political factors besides the mere accumulation of lived years. Even then old age and social status appear to be associated in defining the status of an elder in many traditional societies. For example, from the time of birth to maturity, to old-age and timely demise, an individual went through a series of recognized stages, each being higher than the previous one, until such a person reached formal retirement. (Rwezaura, 1989, p. 6)Additional examples of the positive standing of elders can be found in the Eritrean and Portuguese cultures. …