“Exploring the effectiveness of music therapy as part of nursing care for patients living with dementia”
Introduction
People living with dementia undergo various psychological challenges in life. Therefore, it is crucial to make interventions that could make their lives better. Music therapy is perceived as one of the major interventions that can help the patients as part of the nursing care. Therefore, caregivers face various music-based interventions that could fit their patients to deliver the best results. The major options music therapy, forming groups to sing as well as listening to various music genres to boost their psychological well-being. In this case, music therapy is explored further in this study as a major intervention among dementia patients based on its stimulating aspect.
According to The American Music Therapy Association, it involves a clinical way of using music geared toward achieving a certain goal with the help of a credentialed professional. In this case, dementia patients require the music therapeutic relationship that addresses their needs physically, emotionally, cognitively, and socially. The significance of having a professional therapist is to assess the strengths, needs of every dementia patient, and decide the most suitable musical routine or song choice. As a result, the patients can be helped through new and dedicated music creation that addresses their situation. Alternatively, the patients will be required to sing along, make some moves as they listen (McDermott, Orrell and Ridder, 2014). As a result, the patients achieve stronger abilities that will help them in daily life through better communication and overcoming difficulties when expressing themselves using words. The effectiveness of music therapy facilitates rehabilitation, motivation, and trigger movement during the treatment sessions. Further, it leads to emotional support to all stakeholders related to the patient as feelings expression is eased.
Studies reveal that music acts as a stimulating medium and it is accessible in various means. Therefore, dementia patients can use it alone, in the company of their family or caregivers. As a result, most care homes hosting dementia patients and families have adopted music listening, singing, and dancing as part of their daily activities (Harmer & Orrell, 2008). It is also clear that modern societies recognize music as part of life, which makes it a universal language that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. Music tends to stick in mind despite other distractions to cognitive functionality.
Notably, the effectiveness of music therapy has not been exhausted in the current studies because the theoretical framework of dementia care is limited. The available studies have not elaborated strong theoretical frameworks to elaborate on the degree of effectiveness based on the best method and necessity of music therapy towards benefiting the psychological well-being of dementia patients (McDermott, Crellin, Ridder & Orrell, 2013). Therefore, this study will consolidate current studies to determine if the studies have identified a sustainable theoretical model for incorporating music therapy as part of caring for people living with dementia. The presence of different findings and results from studies is not enough if they cannot address the effectiveness of music therapy as a tool to be used by nursing caregivers dealing with dementia patients.
Therefore, this study will engage people living with dementia and their nursing caregivers directly to understand their social life and how they relate with the people around them. There are many dynamics of life exhibited by these patients, which can be physical, emotional, or social. For example, it will be significant to understand if music therapy can address all these aspects or it should be targeting either personality, physicality, social, or biological healing. In addition, the impact of music has to be targeted to certain patients' such as psychosocial factors.
According to Alzheimer's Research UK (2021), The latest study revealed that people living with dementia in the world are approximately 50 million. This is very saddening and measures should be taken to prevent the prevalence. It is further projected that the population suffering from Dementia may triple by the year 2050. These are not just mere statistics and there is a need to address the issue in totality. The cases of people already living with the problem are important to ensure the society is catered for. Therefore, the study will be crucial for the people already affected to ensure the damage is reduced significantly, as the patients undergo musical therapy. It will not only help the patients but also the caregivers and the members of their families.
Aims and Objectives
- To investigate the aspect of music therapy and its value to people living with dementia.
- To explore the understanding and perspectives of nursing caregivers, families, and professional music therapists on the effectiveness of music to patients living with dementia.
- To create a comparison and connections found between psychosocial factors and the findings derived from the study findings to determine the suitable music therapy theoretical model that can help patients living with dementia.
Methodology
References list
Alzheimer’s Research UK, (2021), Dementia Statistics hub: Global prevalence, Available from https://www.dementiastatistics.org/statistics/global- prevalence/#:~:text=Globally%2C%20the%20numbers%20of%20people,2050%2C%20a %20204%25%20increase.
Harmer, B., & Orrell, M. (2008). What is meaningful activity for people with dementia living in care homes? A comparison of the views of older people with dementia, staff and family carers. Aging & Mental Health, 12(5), 548–558. doi:10.1080/13607860802343019
McDermott, O, Orrell, M & Ridder, HM, (2014), The importance of music for people with dementia: the perspectives of people with dementia, family carers, staff and music therapists, Aging & Mental Health, 18:6, 706-716, DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2013.875124
McDermott, O., Crellin, N., Ridder, H.M.O., & Orrell, M. (2013). Music therapy in dementia: A narrative synthesis systematic review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(8), 781–794. doi:10.1002/gps.3895
