Self-care and creativity: A group therapeutic songwriting intervention protocol for caregivers of people with dementia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Caregivers of people with dementia face important health challenges due to the natural progression of the disease. Self-care is associated with improvements in quality of life and well-being, however, the available evidence on self-care for caregivers is limited. This study aims to create a theoretical Group Therapeutic Songwriting (GTSW) intervention protocol for self-care of caregivers of people with dementia. Method This article is structured in three sections. First, we developed a new conceptual framework for self-care and its structures of support, in which we framed the different self-care strategies studied in the field of caregiving. Second, we developed a theoretical GTSW intervention protocol based on the experience-oriented approach, humanistic influences and the theory of the creative psyche, and proposed a GTSW process for self-care in caregivers of people with dementia. Finally, and with the aim of showing the applicability of this theoretical model, we designed an intervention programme in 12 sessions of 60 minutes conducted by a trained music therapist. Results The protocol presented in this article connects songwriting processes to conceptual framework for self-care for caregivers of people with dementia. The cornerstone of this protocol is the RETE process, which we define as having four distinct stages: Respite – Exploration/Expression – Transformation – Empowerment. Discussion and Conclusion Exploratory research has been conducted using the group therapeutic songwriting intervention protocol for self-care. Future studies for intervention refinement are warranted.