Music Therapy and Memory Care
As I’ve been building my business this past year, I have spent much of my time working with residents in memory care facilities, providing group music therapy. In this setting I work on the following goals:
Provide sensory stimulation
Increase interpersonal interaction
Enhance quality of life/elevate mood
Increase creative and emotional expression
In an ideal world, I would work weekly with residents in facilities. Unfortunately, budgets rarely allow this level of frequency, so I go in as often as facilities are able, which is typically once or twice a month.
There are a few things that residents/clients can expect from me when I do a group music therapy session. I always bring a variety of percussion instruments (allowing for various gross and fine motor skill ability levels), I bring a theme or main idea to discuss throughout the session, and I always have 8-10 songs ready (that fit with the main theme). Every session is unique and different, and I love that fluid, dynamic process! Depending on the discussion and participation of the group, I may adjust which songs we sing and/or how we sing them. The key thing is that I provide the environment to increase interaction, participation, and engagement (at whatever level each resident is able).
Working with memory care residents inspires me. It is rewarding to witness and experience the transformational power of music therapy. It’s not simply an activity that makes them happy, but it facilitates discussion, interaction, memory recall, and the ability to communicate. These differentiating factors are what distinguish me as a music therapist from an entertainer. I establish goals for each session and am observing and evaluating continuously throughout the session. I provide documentation to the facility on each resident who participates in my music therapy sessions.
Music therapy is a systematic, evidence-based practice that produces positive results, achieving established goals in a therapeutic setting. I am passionate about spreading this knowledge and efficacy about the field of music therapy to as many facilities as I can in the Inland Empire!