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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.
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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
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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.