Singing in a choir or playing a musical instrument can result in significant physical and mental benefits for people aged over 65.
Researchers at the Western Sydney University's MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development say even a small amount of musical training can have long-lasting effects, particularly for seniors.
They say playing a musical instrument in retirement is one of the best ways to stay mentally and physically agile.
Music and psychology researcher with the institute, Dr Jennifer MacRitchie, has been studying the benefits of learning an instrument for the first time in people aged over 65, with her most recent study focusing on the piano.
She said that while many people are under the misconception that learning a musical instrument was only for young people, emerging knowledge about the brain's ability to learn demonstrates this is not the case.
