Individualised Music for People Living With Dementia and the Experiences and Perceptions of Residential Aged Care Staff: A qualitative Study

Journal

Australasian Journal on Ageing

Year

2022

Volume

41

Issue

1

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences and perceptions of staff regarding the use of individualised music for people with dementia living in residential aged care. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive methodology was used. Methods included a focus group and face-to-face interviews, open-ended responses to a pre-post survey and relevant clinical notes about older participants' responses. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse data. RESULTS: There were four themes: (1) transcendental reminiscing, the calm, the joy and the elation; (2) optimism, excitement and the snowball effect; (3) pitching in for older person, it is not rocket science and the hurdles; and (4) music beyond the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the individualised music was a generally positive experience. While some older participants reported discomfort with the use of headphones, staff concerns related to care and accessibility of music equipment.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Elderly; Healthcare Professionals; Interviews; Long-Term Care Facility; Music Therapy; Neurodegenerative Disorders; Positive Verbalizations

Indexed Terms

Elderly; Dementia; Focus Groups; Qualitative Research; dementia; frail older adults; residential facilities

Study Type

Case Study; Qualitative Methods

Disciplines

Geriatrics

PubMed ID

34351677

Document Type

Article

Access Now

Share

COinS