Harp therapy to help residents

The soothing sounds of the harp are set to improve the lives of older people living at Victoria’s Villa Maria Wantirna aged care residence.

An innovative harp therapy program will be introduced in the newly-redeveloped, multimillion dollar Knox centre in January by certified therapeutic harp practitioner, Carla Whitleley.

Ms Whitleley, reportedly just one of four people qualified to deliver the therapy in Australia, said the harp had been considered a healing instrument since ancient times.

“Therapeutic harp music is based on the science of sound. It is live, acoustic music played for people who may be patients in hospitals or living in aged care facilities to help create a calming environment conducive to the healing process.  It also supports their families, visitors and staff,” she explained.

Research had shown harp therapy, including its sounds and vibrations, helped to lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate, anxiety and pain levels, and bring a sense of calm, inner peace and emotional balance to listeners.

Harp therapy was also used for people in palliative care when they were at the end of their lives; helping to calm them with the release of emotions and grieving of their loved ones.

Ms Whitleley said harp therapy was particularly supportive for people with dementia as it could help to “connect them with their past”.

“I was recently at an aged care facility where an older Polish woman, who had dementia, was quite distressed. I didn’t know any Polish tunes but did know some Hebrew melodies, and as soon as I started playing those she began to try to sing along with them which calmed her down.”

Villa Maria Wantirna centre manager, Kathleen Collings, said the alternative therapy, which can also involve interactive lessons, was perfectly suited to the redeveloped 96 bed residence; aligning with its holistic model of care.

“Wantirna has a strong dementia focus, offering specialised care, a sensory garden and sensory room, and respite options for families. Music lifts everyone’s spirits and studies have shown harp therapy can act as a conduit to access memory, which is particularly beneficial for people with dementia who have difficulty expressing themselves in other ways,” Ms Collings said.

“At one level you can use the harp for relaxation but it has the capacity to transcend the everyday and reach the depth of the human soul, restoring hope and joyfulness.”