Music, a powerful medium that can move the memory of people with dementia. CNA news, 18 July 2021 reported. One of the most devastating aspects of dementia is that an individual loses precious memory and with that, their identity. But music can be a balm even to the most despondent, says a music therapist.
I can surely testify to this when I provide caregiving to my mother with moderate dementia. She can sing along whenever her favourite songs are played. It certainly elevates her mood and assists her in reminiscing the good old times that she has. Not only music can uplift my mother’s spirit, it holds a very special place in my heart too.
As a caregiver, music has linked me with a caregiver support group that thrives based on desire to play better music and also sharing our experiences and challenges in caregiving. Our first preparations for the performance at the Care Corner’s Annual Caregiver Appreciation day has drawn us closer and also given us more motivation to improve our skills so that we can contribute back to the society with the skills that we have learnt and to add joy and smiles to the faces of the caregivers and their loved ones living with dementia.
While many parents would send their children for music classes like violin, private piano lessons that may cost about $ 200 a month for 4 sessions, it is less common to provide music therapy to the elderly in general.
Locally, Music therapy services can be made available to the following clients populations in institutions according to the Association for Music Therapy (AMTS)
Hospitalised children at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH)
Patients with burns, heart and lung transplants, and haematological conditions at SGH
Persons with dementia at Alexandra Hospital (now Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH))
Palliative care patients at Dover Park Hospice (first intermediate and long-term care (ILTC) institution to offer music therapy services)
Music therapy is available in hospices to provide relief and comfort to those approaching end of care and some dementia day care centres have singing sessions included as part of their daily curriculum. Grief Matters, a movement by MontfortCare organises Taperstries of Grief 2022 offering a series of online introductory workshops for the general pubic to gain knowledge and attending skills on supporting individuals and families who are going bereavement-related grief. One of the relevant seminar is : Journeying though the pandemic using art and music. Though it is not directly related to using music in dementia, it can offer an increased awareness of how music and art can help an individual overcome grief and those who are struggling through the pandemic.
I have visited some nursing homes and one of the nursing home that has caught my attention is where they organise daily singing and exercise sessions using popular Chinese songs by Veteran Teresa Teng.. Even while I was doing my work there, my mood is elevated as I too reminisced with the songs that my own mother loves to listen and sing along.
Based on this multi centre research, Music Interventions for Dementia and Depression in ELderly care (MIDDEL): protocol and statistical analysis plan for a multinational cluster-randomised trial by Christian Gold, is a research project investigating music interventions to reduce depression symptoms in people living with dementia. Music interventions for older adults are based on the notion that music elicits emotional responses and helps to retrieve memories, with recent support from research suggesting that brain regions responsible for processing music, particularly known familiar songs, may be spared even in late-stage dementia. They are offered in individual, in Group Music Therapy group and recreational choir singing format.
What can we do since we may not be musically trained or are not music therapists?
Some tips you can remember through this phrase:
KNOW Your Elderly’s Songs
Know your music your loved ones like. Develop a personal playlist for your loved ones.
Yes to what music? The Chinese song “The moon represent my heart” by Teresa Tang may bring comfort and good memories. Sing it often.
Use online Exercises that plays background music using familiar music.
Be Spontaneous. Sing while you do housework at home, during caregiving, during bathing of your loved ones.
For people with dementia – even those who have lost their ability to communicate or are at the end of their life – music can be a powerful way to trigger positive feelings and connect with other people.
So what are you waiting for? Let us KNOW your Elderly’s Songs. Start today. Thriving Caregivers.
Copyright LHN. This blog expresses the personal thoughts of the writer and do not replace professional advice in your caregiving journey.
Comments