“Numerous small – scale research studies have suggested music listening, participation or therapy can be useful in dementia care, indicating that music could play a prominent role here (Spiro, 2010. Pg. 896). Respect and Understanding Inc. (R and U) uses participative music sessions to encourage improved socio-emotional behavior in senior care homes. We prefer to use the word 'resident’ instead of 'senior', to eliminate the age association, and to create new mental meaning through reinforcing gratitude and vocal affirmations.
Our Theme Song
Our karaoke program allows residents to sing familiar songs of their time, and the live music events bring the outside concert world to them. According to an article written by experts in the nursing field, live music intervention showed to reduce agitation due to the science that singing a familiar song neurologically activates both hemispheres of the brain ( Wall, Duffy, 2010, pg 1). Studies have shown that for some reason, the part of the brain that recalls familiar music is miraculously spared in patients dealing with cognitive challenges.
We at R and U continue to find that using live music intervention programs, allow residents to feel more included and loved in a usually difficult environment. Our musicians help to bring an extraordinary experience to an ordinary day. Our organization raises the bar by encouraging positive thinking and showing residents that it’s alright to be social in their environment.
Medical treatment for symptoms of dementia involves a sedative used to calm anxiety, agitation, and depression. R and U brings a non-pharmaceutical approach that supplements to help bring new life to the resident, and to help develop healthy neuro-pathways for short term cognitive health. Studies have shown that personal human contact and music has short term effects, which is why we hope to expand our programs to be more present in the lives of residents (Wall, Duffy, 2010, pg 112).
In conclusion, our organization functions on the conceptual construct that our programs are therapeutic, without the obvious stigma of therapy. We feel that by bringing enjoyable entertainment, the residents experience a needed distraction from the mundane day to day routine of living in a care home. Our organization exists to help create new mental models for ongoing healing and to share them with the health care community. Every little efforts counts.
References
Spiro, Neta (November 2010). Music and Dementia: Observing effects and searching for underlying theories. Aging and Mental Health. Vol. 14, No. 8, pgs. 891 -899
Wall, Michelle., Duffy, Anita., (November 2010). Brittish Journal of Nursing, The effects of music therapy for older people with dementia. Vol. 19, no 2.
