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Activities


through making music together as well as the exchange of verbal, facial, vocal and bodily expressions. Therapists observe the patient, assessing their state of mind and playing music to match it. The therapist then adjusts the musical element such as rhythm, volume or tempo to help change the patient’s behaviour and expressions. It can have a direct, sometimes immediate effect, on the patient. Behaviours are moderated and symptoms of agitation can be greatly alleviated during therapy sessions, which usually last for 30 minutes. Additionally, during the sessions and interactions, music therapists observe the remaining cognitive functions of the residents. If a resident can play an instrument they are encouraged to do so, providing another form of interaction, while if they can’t play one then they are encouraged to sing along or simply listen to the music. The feedback from music therapists can help other health professionals make decisions on care and to continue managing symptoms in day to day life.


Helping care givers


Music therapy has the additional benefit of aiding the day to day working lives of carers. It can help communicate to carers the underlying causes of certain symptoms, which could be something as simple as a television being too loud or a room being too hot. Carers are able to assess the situation and behaviour more completely, react accordingly and make the environment more hospitable to all. Because music therapy helps alleviate the symptoms of agitation, calming patients and managing behaviours, it has the additional benefit of aiding the day to day working lives of carers.


For example, a resident with dementia may have lost the ability to speak and communicate their needs. However, during a music therapy session, the therapist may have picked up on the fact


that their auditory perception may not have been impaired since having dementia. This is because the resident would have reacted to subtle changes in the rhythm, the loudness of the sound and the dynamics of the musical structure during the therapy. Therapists can then relay this understanding back to the carer, who can adjust the environment to make it more conformable for the resident through techniques such as lowering their voices when they speak.


Most importantly, music therapy enables carers and families to see a different side to their loved ones. When people interact with someone with dementia, they usually focus on the illness and the deficit in cognition and health. Music therapy helps them realise the resident can still do some of the things they used to love doing such as listening to or even making music. Family members can also take part in music therapy, helping them to connect with their loved ones. This creates an inclusive, more joyful and relaxed care home environment. Music therapists are also able to teach carers how to incorporate music therapy


into their day to day lives as they go about delivering care to residents. This means it can take place any time, not just during one to one sessions with therapists, making the therapy more effective. When a carer feels the moment is right, they can choose the right song to suit the mood, either by singing or playing a CD, helping to create a calm environment and helping residents to feel less agitated. There is evidence to suggest that carers feel that their care giving skills are enhanced through learning about music therapy, helping to motivate them and increase levels of job satisfaction.3 Even when a person living with dementia is able to communicate verbally, it is sometimes difficult for a carer to get them to engage. This may be because they are apathetic, lethargic or depressed, and so will appear closed off. However, it has been shown that music therapy can promote verbal communication. Playing someone’s favourite song will often encourage them to sing along and verbally interact, as it can lead them to recall memories associated with that song. This allows carers to provide much needed and effective care,


May 2017 • www.thecarehomeenvironment .com


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