Music education opportunities for the elderly: A case study on the provision at the seniors academy of the Macao Polytechnic Institute

This paper aims to investigate formal music education opportunities for the elderly in Macao. There have been many claims that active participation in music activities can lead to measurable improvements in the well-being of the elderly. In fact, examples about music making help easing loneliness, depression and the effects of Alzheimerûs disease, and even improving the functioning of immune system reported in the literature have evidentially substantiated the value of music education for the elderly. This paper describes the present state of provision of education and training in music for the elderly in the Seniors Academy of the Macao Polytechnic Institute. To portray the context of investigation, related literature and documents are studied; in addition, focused interviews with students of the Seniors Academy are conducted to collect views about the current provision and the effects of music education to health and wellness. Findings indicate that music education programs offered by the Seniors Academy of the Macao Polytechnic Institute are practical, possessing substantial social values and contributing to the healthy life of the elderly; however, there is plenty of room for improvement and further development. Coupled with these findings, conclusion and implications for the sustainable development of music education for the elderly in Macao are then drawn and discussed.