The Power of Music to Address Loneliness

"Loneliness and isolation among older Americans have mostly returned to pre-pandemic rates. That means more than one third of people age 50 to 80 years old, still feel lonely and isolated ( JAMA 2024). While research suggests that loneliness impacts physical and mental health, loneliness is a yearning for connection and belonging that people may be able to address in unexpected ways. One way is to draw upon the power of music."

"What happens when you listen to the song that was playing when you met your partner for the first time? Does the music of the band you traveled miles to see with too many people in the van, bring you back to those friends? Have you ever had the privilege of seeing barely responsive seniors in a Nursing Home, light up to sing every word with a Frank Sinatra look-alike?"

"Ceren, Geibel, Kussner et.al. 2025studied music as a social surrogate to alleviate loneliness in older adults. The social surrogacy hypothesis predicts that people can make use of temporary substitutes for interaction with other people. In a qualitative study, they explored the role of self-chosen music as a social surrogate. A sample of older adults ( N  = 35) was asked to name three pieces of music that would choose to make them feel better if they were feeling very lonely and to explain their choices."

More than one third of adults aged 50–80 continue to feel lonely and isolated despite returning to pre-pandemic rates. Loneliness affects physical and mental health but also reflects a yearning for connection that can be addressed through music. Private, self-selected music can evoke imagined social presence and strong autobiographical memories via familiar songs, concerts, and partner-associated tunes. Music engages the cerebellum for rhythm, gait, and emotion in ways noise cannot. A qualitative study asked 35 older adults to name comforting pieces and identified seven underlying social motives for choosing music. Familiar songs can elicit vivid emotional responses even in barely responsive seniors, restoring communicative engagement.

Read at Psychology Today