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NO INSTRUMENT? NO PROBLEM Playing a musical instrument certainty has its advantages, especially when it comes to the brain, but you don’t need to pick up piano or take on the tuba to reap

the health benefits of music. According to a 2020 report from AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health, “any type of musical engagement,” be it singing, dancing, playing an instrument,

composing music, or listening to music, “appears to hold benefits” for adults. While nearly all of poll respondents report at least one health-related perk from music, only 17 percent say

they have played an instrument in the last year. More than half of older adults surveyed (56 percent) say they listen to music daily and 29 percent say they listen to music a few times a

week. One in 5 older adults (21 percent) reported singing daily, with women more likely to sing than men, and 25 percent said they sing a few times a week. And 4 in 5 older adults (80

percent) reported viewing musical performances on TV or the internet at least a few times in the past year. About 2 in 5 older adults (41 percent) attended live music performances. People

less likely to engage in music included those between the ages of 65 and 80, people in fair or poor physical health, people with a health condition that limits their daily activities,

socially isolated individuals, and people with an annual household income under $60,000.   “As a society, we need to think about the resources we put into music,” Howell says. “We talk about

more accessible streets; we talk about getting rid of food deserts, so people have access to good diets. Maybe having access to music is part of this.” For now, the take-home message from

this research is to “do what gives you joy,” Howell says, “whether it’s listening to recorded music, listening to live music, or playing music.” Music “is one of life’s greatest pleasures,”

he adds. “And 98 percent of people say it makes them feel better. What more do you really want?”