Create music at home: Meeting psycho‐social needs through music interventions for people with dementia and their caregivers

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundFor people with dementia and their caregivers, neuro‐psychiatric symptoms of dementia may have a negative affect on quality of life. Some studies have shown positive effects of music listening, singing and other individualized music‐based interventions. This study presents a solution by creating opportunities for family caregivers to provide non‐pharmacological uses of music during caregiving activities in the home setting.MethodA psycho‐educational, music‐based protocol for caregivers to use therapeutic music for their family member with dementia was written. Nine dyads (caregiver and care receiver) were recruited from home‐based settings in the NYC area. Family caregivers were educated with hands‐on education in a classroom setting with a music therapist one time per week for one‐hour for six weeks. Using the Cornell‐Brown Scale for Quality of Life in Dementia, quality of life for the care receiver with dementia was measured pre‐test and post‐test the 6‐week psycho‐educational training.ResultA paired samples t‐test indicated a significant increase in quality of life in care receivers with dementia from baseline to following the 6‐week psycho‐educational, music‐based protocol, p = .003. In this presentation, we will discuss the interventions taught to caregivers to facilitate in the home setting with their care receiver diagnosed with dementia. We will present use of technology to adjust study protocol made due to COVID‐19.ConclusionAlthough this study is ongoing, our findings suggest that caregivers can implement music‐based interventions that may lead to an increase in quality of life for their family member with dementia.