New studies have shown that listening to music, or better yet playing a musical instrument, helps keep the brain from aging. The Alzheimer’s association suggests doing both activities. The latest study shows playing an instrument can add 5 years to anti-aging of the brain.
Wikipedia says:
Instruments are often implemented in Music Therapy (MT) for Alzheimer’s patients that have musical backgrounds, because in many cases procedural musical memory is still preserved. As a result, some patients with AD retain the ability to play instruments, such as the piano. Some studies suggest for people with minimal guitar experience to implement MT that involves playing easy instruments. A study utilized the Autoharp and Omni, which are simple instruments that Alzheimer’s patients without musical background can use as a music therapy to stimulate and soothe