Did you know, March is Music Therapy Awareness Month? Some of you may be wondering, “What is Music Therapy?”
“Music therapy is a discipline in which Certified Music Therapists (MTAs) use music purposefully within therapeutic relationships to support development, health, and well-being. Music therapists use music safely and ethically to address human needs within cognitive, communicative, emotional, musical, physical, social, and spiritual domains” (https://www.musictherapy.ca/about-camt-music-therapy/about-music-therapy/)
Goals of Music Therapy in Long-Term Care:
- Maintaining memory recall and reminiscing
- Maintaining fine motor coordination
- Maintaining range of motion
- Increasing creative expression
- Increasing emotional expression
- Increasing socialization and community connection
- Managing challenging responsive behavior
- Increasing joy, fun and happiness
Music Therapists assess individuals to identify goals and objectives that will help meet their strengths, abilities and needs. Music therapy programs are evidence-based, purposeful and designed to not only meet individual needs but are also culturally inclusive. Music therapists are skilled in playing a variety of instruments and are lyrically versed which increases the quality of therapeutic process and deepens connections with Residents.
IPOD Program:
A musical intervention that provides individuals with IPODS and headphones with personalized playlist that is created after conducting a music therapy assessment.
Goals & Objectives
- Increase memory recall
- Increase self-expression
- Manage responsive behaviors
- Increase relaxation and comfort
- Increase emotional expression
- Increase inclusion through music and song
Drum Circle
Is an effective music therapy intervention that encourages community building, social engagement and most importantly, joy and fun! A strong sense of group identity and a feeling of belonging can be created when participants actively make music together and the sustained repetition of a steady beat connects people together. The drum can be used as a tool to express oneself when words cannot. Research have shown that drumming strengthens the immune system by relieving stress and allowing the body to relax and focus.
Benefits of Drum Circle include:
- Increase attention and concentration
- Increase joy, fun, and happiness
- Increase sense of community connection
- Maintain ability to follow directions
- Maintain fine motor skills
- Maintain range of motion
- Reducing tension, anxiety and stress
