The Benefits of Music Therapy in Long Term Care
Growing research of the human brain’s response to music shows that music leaves a lasting impression in the brain, even when disease may take over. We are wired for music. This intrinsic, lasting response to music is what drives the effectiveness of music therapy. The heart keeps a beat and the body moves in rhythm. Music is innate.
The world of music therapy has been growing since the 1950s. Now, as music therapy is becoming increasingly recognized, it is gaining popularity as an effective intervention for many populations with therapeutic needs. There are professional music therapy associations for provinces, states, and countries. The Canadian Association of Music Therapists defines music therapy:
Music therapy is a discipline in which credentialed professionals (MTA*) 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.
*Music Therapist Accredited
- Canadian Association of Music Therapists June 2016
For those living in long term care, working with an accredited music therapist has many benefits. Some of them include:
- maintaining memory
- increasing socialization
- physical rehabilitation or maintenance
- decreasing agitation
- providing alternative forms of self expression and communication
- increasing comfort and relaxation for pain or end of life care
Music therapy sessions may be for individuals or groups of varying sizes. Clients may engage in singing, playing instruments, writing songs, moving to music, or listening to music. Goals are specific to client needs and are established after an assessment. Often, music therapy is a way for long term care residents to continue to feel a sense of connection with those around them and receive emotional support. Sessions may include singing familiar songs to prompt cognition, writing simple songs to express emotions, drumming to release stress, or exploring feelings through improvisation.
There are many possibilities for the use of music therapy in long term care. To observers, sessions may seem like a time for entertainment. However, music therapy is an opportunity for residents to succeed in therapeutic tasks and challenges, while engaging in enjoyable music experiences. For more information about receiving music therapy services in your long term care home, you can seek out the professional music therapy association in your province. For services in Toronto, visit: harmoniamusictherapy.com.
Daiva Paskauskas, MTA