Make some music, aged care
Nationwide aged care facilities are being encouraged to “make music together”, as the month of May seems to be a musical one. Older Australians, as well as the rest of Australia, are being asked to sing and play music next month to promote song as a healing art that can banish depression and reduce pain.
Nationwide aged care facilities are being encouraged to “make music together”, as the month of May seems to be a musical one.
Older Australians, as well as the rest of Australia, are being asked to sing and play music next month to promote song as a healing art that can banish depression and reduce pain.
The initiative, Making Music Being Well 2012, is an annual week-long event, starting 21 May. The campaign is being run in partnership with the Australian Music Therapy Association and was established to celebrate the links between making music and health benefits.
Making Music Being Well director, Tina Broad, tells DPS News participation from the public has grown 10-fold since founded in 2006.
“I think older people, particularly in an aged care setting, have had very rich lives – and music has been a long-time companion to many. So, we’re encouraging people to continue their connection with music; sing and play musical instruments and have people make music together,” Ms Broad says.
According to Ms Broad, music has exceptional benefits for older people – particularly in regard to rekindling memories in those living with dementia.
“Musical memory is often the last to go with someone living with dementia. Music often has a dramatic effect on late-stage dementia sufferers as it can help them to retain memories even when they have lost the power of speech,” she says.
Ms Broad adds music can sometimes reduce anxiety, improve sleep and help palliative care patients manage their end-of-life experience.
Previous events held throughout the Making Music Being Well week have included music concerts at local shopping centres and aged care facilities or simply getting together with musical instruments to create music.
Many of the 500 or more registered music therapists in Australia reportedly work in aged care settings.
Common methods used by music therapists in aged care include playing live and/or recorded music, facilitating song choice, active music making and improvisation. The therapist may also use a special technique in which music is improvised to match and slow a patient’s breathing rate to help reduce anxiety and lessen the need for medication.
To participate in this year’s Making Music Being Well initiative, register here.
