Overview
The Vivo Older Adult Program was developed in order to bring about positive changes in functioning through music strategies resulting in healthier, happier living. Music therapy sessions, whether individual or group based, are provided at one of MTCCA’s clinics, in the home or at an on-site location in San Diego County (including day programs, hospice facilities, health care centers, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing centers, independent living retirement communities, and in medical settings/hospitals).
Individual Sessions
For the older adult who is bed-bound, individual bedside sessions often include singing and instrument playing to elicit reminiscence, social interaction, and choice making (control over the environment). Songwriting and improvisation are also utilized to encourage emotional expression. Frequently sessions are recorded onto tape and given to the patient or family member as a memento. The music therapy staff can train the patient, family member, and the caregiver to utilize music with relaxation in order to decrease discomfort, pain and anxiety and to help them to fall asleep. For many clients, a music therapy session is the only opportunity they have to participate in a leisure activity that they once enjoyed. Even a person in late-stage dementia is often able to interact and hum with the music.
For patients in a physical rehabilitation program, music therapists often collaborate and co-treat with physical, speech and occupational therapists. When music is combined with rehabilitation exercises, patients are more motivated, experience less pain and discomfort, and the time passes more quickly. Because of the structured and rhythmic nature of music, the tempo of the music can be adjusted to each individual’s exercises and their movements become more fluid matching the tempo of the music. In addition, music therapy is effective in slowing the regression of speech and language skills. Rhythm-based exercises paired with words can enhance speech intelligibility.
Group Sessions
Group sessions (8-12 people) are a cost effective way to provide services to a larger number of people at a time. Music brings joy to day program, nursing home and health care center residents. Therapeutic group singing is used to trigger long-term memories. Because music is processed in the emotional part of the brain, the amygdale (and it is processed with the entire brain) music acts as a bridge, allowing individuals to tap into stored musical memories that are not damaged by disease. A technique called Reality Orientation can help individuals remember the date, weather, or season through song. Sensory Training, another technique, helps to restore a person’s contact with the environment through the senses (visual, auditory, tactile, taste and smell). Multi-sensory experiences (music and visuals) and thematic sessions can help stimulate memories and conversations. For instance, an individual may sing holiday songs while waving a fragrant evergreen branch in time to the music.
Group-based music therapy sessions are also provided in independent and assisted living facilities. Sessions in these settings typically focus on wellness. Breathing, relaxation and imagery exercises help older adults to focus and reduce their stress. Musical games such as “name that tune” or the “egg shaker pass” are a workout for the brain and body. Drum circles are often used in with this population to facilitate bonding and a feeling of connectedness with other residents. Drumming is an invigorating and interactive experience that brings about active stress relief and research has shown that it can strengthen the immune system.