Abstract of Yao et al.’s Study
Music therapy has been identified as one of the evidence-based practices applied in patients with dementia. According to the article “Evaluation of the Music Therapy Program Interventions on Agitated Behavior for People with Dementia in Taiwan Institutional Care,” various studies have supported the same concept. The article’s primary purpose was to investigate the effectiveness of utilizing music therapy for older adults living with dementia in healthcare institutions (Yao et al., 2022).
The study utilized a quasi-experimental method where eighty older adults were randomly selected from two nursing homes. They were programmed into a 90-minute music therapy session for three weeks. A paired t-test was used to collect results, and it indicated post-test and pretest mean scores of 89.40 and 98.00, respectively (Yao et al., 2022).
Discussions concluded that the application of medical treatments in nursing homes has failed to cure dementia. Therefore, music therapy improves social, psychological, and emotional well-being. This information applies to community members, who can use readily available remedies like music to live effectively with patients who have dementia.
Abstract of MacRitchie et al.’s Study
Concurrently, in another article “The Use of Technology for Arts-Based Activities in Older Adults Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Scoping Review,” the use of music in dementia adults has been discussed. The article’s primary purpose is to examine the scientific literature that has utilized creative art activities to heal older patients with dementia.
The scoping review utilized the methodological framework to collect and analyze data. It comprises five steps: developing research questions, relevant literature, identifying participants, collecting data, and analyzing results. The review results indicated that a collection of technological genres like visual arts and storytelling are some common remedies for handling dementia conditions in older patients.
Additionally, making and listening to music is relevant as new ideas and creativity are involved, which engage the human mind positively. Discussions concluded that technology and other creative arts activities could be effective in dealing with dementia condition. Customized music devices and recordings retrieved online supported this idea, making the review relevant and valuable. Information from this article applies to me as I have learned of the different forms of music that can be applied when handling patients with dementia.
Summary of Film
The film Alive Inside, the story of music and memory, demonstrates the effect of music on dementia patients. The plot summary revolves around Dan Cohen, who was a social worker. His role is to visit different nursing homes and host dementia patients. While there, he interviewed the patients about their condition, played their favorite songs, and further examined the impact on them. He encounters Henry, who has been in the nursing home for approximately ten years (Rossato, 2014).
Other characters in the film include Nell, married to Norman, a musician, Bobby McFerrin, and Michael Rossato-Bennet, the movie director. Allen Power is the healthcare provider who mentors Eden at St. John’s Home. Additionally, John is a patient who has dementia, Denise has bipolar disorder, and Samite Mulondo is a volunteer musician.
Denise has been in the nursing home for two years and is very patient with her condition. Samite Mulondo visits her, describes the music, and further explains the importance of using it to release life’s frustrations. Norman is caring as he is Nell’s custodian, who has dementia. She has not been using medication but opted for music therapy as the best cure (Rossato, 2014). John was a music performer when he was young, and before receiving therapy, he could barely recognize his photos. After music intervention, he began to dance according to the rhythm in the wheelchair.
The main message of the film is the use of music as an alternative remedy for loved ones suffering from dementia. Music can change the mindset and lead to regaining memory of past events. Music is presented as a non-chemotherapeutic intervention where patients’ favorite songs bring them back to life. Dan Cohen emphasizes that people remember their past experiences when they age. However, when they have dementia, an interference of their mental part concerned with memory is realized.
Stimuli for Persons with Dementia
Research has found other effective stimuli that have the same effects as music on persons who have dementia. They include exercising regularly, participating in favorite hobbies, and maintaining an active social life (Kouloutbani et al., 2021). Patients who have dementia are advised to exercise to avoid associated risk factors. Chronic diseases like stroke, pressure, diabetes, and obesity are common in patients who fail to adopt exercise in their daily routines. Additionally, studies have proven that people who exercise have a decreased rate of the loss of brain tissues.
Hobbies like dance, swimming, yoga, walking, and swimming enable an individual to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Dementia patients experience challenges in thinking and memory loss. Therefore, engaging in hobbies makes them release hormones that stimulate their mood, making them happy (Lauridsen et al., 2023).
Additionally, arts-based activities like drama, painting, drawing, and book clubs stimulate a practical mindset. Active participation in club societies reduces cases of overthinking and associated stress and depression. These risk factors contribute to dementia, and eliminating them is a critical remedy.
Maintaining an active social life is another methodology used to deal with dementia cases in patients. Socialization leads to interaction with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. Sharing ideas and problems with friends reduces stress as possible solutions can be suggested. In addition, accepted values like love, care, and respect are developed, making a person fit in society. Family relationships are the origin of social life; parents should bring up their children lovingly.
References
Kouloutbani, K., Venetsanou, F., Markati, A., Karteroliotis, K. E., & Politis, A. (2021). The effectiveness of physical exercise interventions in managing neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia patients: A systematic review. International Psychogeriatrics, 34(2), 177–190. Web.
Lauridsen, S., Folker, A. P., & Andersen, M. M. (2023). Why caregivers have no autonomy‐based reason to respect advance directives in Dementia Care. Bioethics. Web.
MacRitchie, J., Floridou, G. A., Christensen, J., Timmers, R., & de Witte, L. (2022). The use of technology for arts-based activities in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia: A scoping review. Dementia, 22(1), 252–280. Web.
Rossato, B. (2014). Alive inside: A story of music and memory. YouTube, uploaded by Encourage Tv. Web.
Yao, C.-T., Lee, B.-O., Hong, H., & Su, Y.-C. (2022). Evaluation of the music therapy program interventions on agitated behavior for people with dementia in Taiwan institutional care. Educational Gerontology, 1–12. Web.