The therapeutic power of ukuleles

Minxiong Township Public Health Center in Chiayi County has recently opened a senior citizen's ukulele course after Taipei Chiayi Association donated 120 ukuleles. Locals enthusiastically registered for the classes, which successfully integrate music into senior citizens' education.

Today's music therapy uses a series of treatments combining music and rhythm for people suffering from physiological and mental conditions. The content mainly incorporates playing instruments, singing, and creating songs. The therapy is suitable for a whole host of things, including developmental retardation, physical and cognitive restructuring, and elderly medical care.

Related research has discovered that music therapy has a stimulative, stress-relieving effect on the mind and body of senior citizens, and thereby improves their quality of life. Hopefully, in the future, education and treatment will integrate diverse elements to provide new and exciting experiences for seniors citizens.

以下為中文對照

老人烏克麗麗　音樂治療的力量

嘉義縣民雄鄉衛生所新開辦高齡烏克麗麗課程，由台北市嘉義同鄉會捐贈120把烏克麗麗，受當地民眾踴躍報名，成功把音樂結合於老人教育中。

現今的音樂治療就是利用音樂、節奏對生理或心理有需要治療的患者進行一系列的療程。內容主要為樂器彈奏、歌唱、創作詞曲，適合的對象包含發展遲緩、身心重建、高齡醫療等等。

相關研究發現，音樂治療具有刺激高齡者的身心靈、舒緩壓力等優點，進而提升生活品質。期盼未來高齡教育與治療能融合多樣元素，為長者們帶來不一樣的體驗。