Dementia: When Music Is the Only Way In—An Emergency Intervention: Innovative Practice

Journal

Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice

Year

2020

Volume

19

Issue

8

First Page

2876

Last Page

2880

Abstract

Music cannot only provide comfort and reduce agitation associated with dementia, but can also generate connections between all who are present. This article describes an ‘emergency’ music intervention conducted by the author during doctoral fieldwork, which illustrates how music was used as a medium for connection and comfort with a highly agitated person with advanced dementia. This experience provides strong support for increasing the training of musicians towards providing music for people living with dementia – particularly when other nonpharmaceutical methods are not proving effective. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Music and Health Institute Terms

Agitation; Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Long-Term Care Facility; Music and Healing; Neurodegenerative Disorders; Palliative Care; Quality of Life

Indexed Terms

communication; care home residents; dementia; Alzheimer’s disease; palliative care; Nursing Homes; Agitation; Intervention; Alzheimer's Disease

Study Type

Editorial, Opinions, Position Papers

Disciplines

Neurology

Document Type

Article

Access Now

Share

COinS