Melodies of Well-Being: Examining the Influence of Community Music Care on Older Adults' Well-Being

Community music care is an innovative social practice that integrates community music therapy and music care to enhance the well-being of older adults. However, existing studies rarely present a comprehensive view of well-being from this perspective. This study explores the impact of community music care on older adults' well-being using a mixed-method approach. The qualitative part involved semi-structured interviews with 10 community-dwelling older adults to understand their experiences and perceptions. The quantitative part surveyed 166 older adults in Penghu County, Taiwan-an area with a high aging population-to examine the correlation between music care and well-being. The results indicate that community music care significantly improves mental health, social interaction, and overall well-being. Interviews also revealed that music care strengthens emotional connections and alleviates loneliness. These findings offer practical insights for communities and long-term care institutions in designing music-based activities and provide a strategic foundation for policymakers to enhance older adults' well-being through long-term care initiatives.