OUR SERVICESRobert Church
Therapeutic Recreation
Sarah Neuman Center for Healthcare & Rehabilitation
What is music therapy? How does it work?
Music therapy uses music and related activities to improve physical, emotional, creative, and spiritual well-being.
Just like physical activity, music promotes increased chemical production in the brain —chemicals that produce feelings of well being (including endorphins and dopamine). This can help to:
- relieve anxiety
- help with pain management
- provide emotional release
- improve memory function
- foster feelings of well being
- aid in social communication
- improve motor skills
Elders’ functioning can be improved or maintained, using carefully structured therapeutic activities such as singing, playing instruments, dancing, and listening. Memory and imagery exercises are also part of music therapy.
Music therapists who work in settings like Jewish Home design therapeutic programs and activities for groups, as well as providing one-to-one music therapy for clients who cannot leave their rooms.
The therapist’s wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of each client determine the techniques used to achieve therapeutic goals. Music therapy helps to establish a trusting relationship, based on a shared musical experience.
At Jewish Home Lifecare, music therapy is prescribed by members of an Inter-Disciplinary Care Plan team that includes doctors, nurses, social workers, dieticians, recreational therapists, and family members.
Effective therapeutic activities offered by a music therapist include:
- Sessions in which clients play, sing and/or listen.
- Sing a-longs covering a full range of musical styles.
During a sing a-long, when a client recognizes a song, the client’s memories associated with the song activate a neural network. A good therapist notices when music is reaching a client. He or she supports the event in one or more ways (by using, for example: eye contact, smiles, memory exploration, dancing with clients, or the therapist’s exaggerated movements.) - Providing a room-bound client with music, after determining the most effective care plan and type(s) of music for that client.
- Rhythm sessions using percussion instruments. The therapist leads clients in recognizing and repeating patterns, or encourages clients to freely express themselves. The therapist pays attention to what is being expressed.
The Results of Music Therapy
Rhythm is extremely powerful. Using recognizable beats such as Foxtrot, Swing, Cha Cha, Waltzes, etc, can help to elicit memories, both mental and physical, from fully cognizant and cognitively impaired individuals.
A recent story, one of many that have occurred at Jewish Home Lifecare, illustrates the therapeutic effect of music and rhythm, when used by a knowledgeable therapist.
Mrs. J., a resident, is troubled by chronic asthma. She had just complained to the nursing staff that the day was terrible and she couldn’t breathe well at all.
The music therapist was in the middle of a group therapy session using rhythm and familiar songs. The group was singing Hey Good Looking.
Mrs. J came bopping in with her cane, wearing a big smile. The therapist continued to use the same swing beat that had brought her in, encouraging her dance with eye contact, whooping sounds and a big smile of his own.
A CNA reported to the therapist that when she asked Mrs. J if she needed her inhaler after the session ended, Mrs. J said no! Mrs. J. explained that her breathing was all opened up by her dancing and the great music.