Music
Therapy and Older Adults
Music
therapy can be used to rehabilitate older adults especially those in nursing
homes. Music therapy provides sensory stimulation as well as social experiences
where older people can sing, dance, write songs and reminisce.
Music
Therapy and Communication/Social Interaction
Older adults can feel socially isolated in a nursing home as they are
away from their original home, neighbours, family and friends. Music
therapy can offer group sessions where opportunities for social interaction
and communication with peers and staff take place. Older adults in hospitals
who are recovering from illness or stroke may experience social isolation
from their community or family and depression due to their losses, and
as a result of their illness. Research (Redinbough, 1988) has shown
that older adults with depression are often withdrawn and may isolate
themselves by sitting with their head down, giving minimal eye contact
and not initiating speech. Music in the environment may encourage an
older person to lift their head and engage with their surroundings.
Redinbough demonstrated that music therapy can implement both verbal
and non-verbal communication among older adults. Pollack and Namazi
(1992) reported that more social behaviour occurred after music therapy
than before.
Music
Therapy and Dementia
Disorders of older adults in nursing homes may include Parkinson’s disease,
senile dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Both Alzheimer’s disease and
senile dementia cause distress for the patient because of loss of memory
and the accompanying loss of language before the onset of motor impairment.
The threat of progressive deterioration also has an effect on the families
of the person and more often than not the family are responsible for
the care of the person. Music therapy for people with progressive disorders
can slow the process of deterioration. Research on music therapy with
both care receivers (people in nursing homes) and family care givers
(Clair and Ebberts, 1997) found that music therapy increased satisfaction
of visits significantly. It also found that higher participation occurred
in singing and rhythm experiences than in conversation. These findings
indicate that music therapy can be helpful for the family of the person
in care as well as for the care receiver.
Music
Therapy and Movement
Music therapy programs with older adults can incorporate movement experiences.
Culture appropriate and age appropriate music can be played (either
live or recorded) to encourage older adults to dance and exercise. The
stimuli of rhythm, harmony, familiar melody and instrumentation are
all motivating forces and help encourage the older person to move to
music. Research has shown (Hanson, Gfeller, Woodworth, Swanson & Garand,
1996) that movement experiences as part of music therapy can be the
experience with the most purposeful participation on the part of the
older adults. Clair (1996) reports that music therapy can be incorporated
into physical aspects of cardiac rehabilitation, stroke rehabilitation,
physiotherapy with people with Parkinson’s disease and ambulation after
amputation.
Music
Therapy and Quality of Life
Often sensory stimulation beyond eating and drinking is missing from
the lives of older adults who are hospitalised or in nursing homes.
Music therapy whether in an individual or group setting can provide
stimulation and a sensory stimulus, maintain existing abilities and
improve quality of life (Davis, Gfeller & Thaut 1999). Playing instruments,
singing familiar songs, moving to music and song writing provide opportunities
for response, initiation and enjoyment.
Music
Therapy and Emotions
Short (1995) demonstrated that music therapy could help older adults
increase their independence. Awareness of independence may promote a
person's self esteem. Older adults can often suffer from depression.
Research has shown (Clair, 1996) that successful participation in music
can relieve depression, frustration and feelings of failure.
References
Bright,
R. (1972). Music in geriatric care. Miami, Fl: Belwin-Mills.
Brotons,
M. & Pickett-Cooper, P. (1994). Preferences of Alzheimer’s disease patients
for music activities: Singing, instruments, dance/movement, games and
composition/improvisation. Journal of Music Therapy, 21 (3),
220-233.
Clair,
A.A. (1996). Therapeutic uses of music with older adults. Baltimore:
Health Professional Press Inc.
Clair,
A. A. & Ebberts, A. G. (1997). The effects of music therapy on interactions
between family caregivers and their care receivers with late stage dementia.
Journal of Music Therapy, 33, (3), 148-164.
Davis,
W.B. (1999). Music therapy and elderly populations. In W.B. Davis, K.E.
Gfeller & M.H. Thaut (Eds.) An introduction to music therapy theory
and practice. Boston: Mc-Graw-Hill College.
Hanson,
N., Gfeller, K., Woodworth, G., Swanson, E.A. & Garand, L. (1996). A
comparison of the effectiveness of differing types and difficulty of
music activities in programming for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease
and related disorders. Journal of Music Therapy, 23, (2), 93-123.
Lipe,
A. (1995). The use of music performance tasks in the assessment of cognitive
functioning among older adults with dementia. Journal of Music Therapy,
32, (3), 137-151.
Moore,
R., Staum, M.J. & Brotons, M. (1992). Music preferences of the elderly:
Repertoire, vocal ranges, tempos, and accompaniments for singing. Journal
of Music Therapy, 24, (4), 236-252.
Odell-Miller,
H. (1995). Why provide music therapy in the community for adults with
mental health problems? British Journal of Music Therapy, 9 (1),
4-10.
Pollack,
N. J. & Namazi, K. H. (1992). The effect of music participation on the
social behavior of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Journal of Music
Therapy, 24, (1), 54-67.
Redinbough,
E.M. (1988). The use of music therapy in developing a communication
system in a withdrawn, depressed older adult resident: A case study.
Music Therapy Perspectives, 5, 82-85.
Short,
A.E. (1995). Insight-oriented music therapy with elderly residents.
The Australian Journal of Music Therapy, 6, 4-18.