I use music regularly as a practitioner in my work as a practitioner and have seen positive effects of using music such as enhancing mood, improving communication and participation. Like every other activity I believe it needs to be person centered. Music that is used inappropriately can have a negative impact.
Iโve always loved music and used it in my work with people with dementia. Iโve seen the positive changes, for example a reduction in agitation and joy it can bring not only to the person but the carer to be able to share something. As Iโve seen the positive impact of music, Iโve wondered if we can extend this by involving carers so they can share in this. As such, this research project examines the impact of listening to music on the mood of the person with dementia and their carer.
I want my research to be participatory and qualitative in design. I will provide individual MP3 players with headphones that are easy to use. Players would be filled with at least 1 hour of participant-selected music. I will conduct group conversations with the participant and their carer about the impact of listening to music.
Download a copy of the report “Is music the best medicine? Using prescribed music to enhance quality of life for people with dementia and their carer” through the IRISS Learning Exchange.
October Knowledge Exchange Event
Anne presented a preliminary overview of her research our first Knowledge Exchange event in October 2012.ย The PROP practitioner-researchers were asked to present on their impressions of the research process and to give a short outline of their research.ย Audio recording are available of both these presentations.
- Listen to Janice’s impressions of the research process
- Listen to Janice’s presentation about her project
May Knowledge Exchange Event
Janice recently presented her research at a PROP Knowledge Exchange event at the University of Edinburgh, in May 2013.
Here is a link to an audio recording of her presentation:ย Janice Caine’s Presentation.
Her powerpoint presentation is available here:Janice Caine’s Powepoint, May 9th 2013.
A copy of her postcard can be downloaded here: Janice Caine’s Postcard.
Many thanks for having done this research. I very much enjoyed listening to your talk, Janice, about how you came about to do the research and how you structured it. I can’t wait to hear the outcome of the research. Knowing that, listening to my favourite music and from using music to help people with mental ill health in their Recovery, what most therapeutic value it brings, disolving the stresses and strains of every day life and releasing the happy hormones in the brain and improving mood. Once I heard it said that “Music is how feelings sound like”. Because of that I imagine that music is immensely beneficial to people living with Dementia. I sincerely hope that the results of your research will help bring about the use of prescribed music in the future.