I just wanted to share one of my experiences at a nursing home. At this nursing home, they call the elderlies that stay there as "residents", nursing home as a "Home" - care centre. At this nursing home, a lot of residents lived with dementia and other diagnoses that has affected their quality of life. A lot of them were limited in their physical abilities, not being able to speak or walk. They spent their day walking around the nursing home, and being fed and taken care of.
As I begun playing with some light music on the piano, I started playing some waltz and dance music that sounded familiar to them. Tears came out when some people found connection when they.
Some said "Keep going, I like it, Keep going!", and some said "This is my favorite day with so much lovely music!". Some said "Are you coming back? I want you to come back, please!". Some mentioned "You and your music is just so beautiful, I want to hear it all the time!" Some residents recalled their memories of singing songs of their memories - like "Waltzing Matilda" reminded them of their times they were dancing in the social hall regularly. They danced along, even if they couldn't get up, their toes tapped along the music in their wheelchairs.
Remember someone saying that when you enter the nursing home, you are entering into someone's life, with limited life choices and activities. Their beds in the shared rooms, with some chairs/tables are their homes. What's in the facility is what they do for their rest of their life.
Music binds. Music connects.
Music retrieves and Music revives :)
Some songs I played:
Waltzing Matilda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SANzC9-a5yo
I can't help falling in love with you - Elvis Presley (CLASSIC!!)
Music therapy can be used to improve the overall physical and mental wellbeing of dementia patients, including the following:
- memory recall;
- positive changes in moods and emotional states;
- a sense of control over life;
- non-pharmacological management of pain and discomfort;
- stimulation that promotes interest even when other approaches are ineffective;
- structure that promotes rhythmic and continuous movement or vocal fluency as an adjunct to physical rehabilitation; and
- opportunities to interact socially with others.
http://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/news/story1.shtml
BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1026153.stm
Video in action
http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2013-04-24/music-therapy-helping-dementia-patients/
What are your experiences wiorking with people with demenetia or elderlies?
What are your thoughts?
Best regards,
Hanna
0432497187
hannatsoi213@hotmail.com
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