Music & Older People

Question 1

What are the 3 disciplines of aging?

Answer 1

Geriatrics - branch of medicine that studies disease of older adults; Gerontology - study of the social, biological & psychological aspects of aging; Psychogeriatrics - branch of psychiatry concerned with behavioural & emotional disorders among the elderly

Question 2

Across the disciplines, what is the most significant issue in normal aging?

Answer 2

Quality of life

Question 3

Over the last 2 decades, the amount of people aged 85 years & over has increased by how much?;
100 years & over?

Answer 3

156%;

185%

Question 4

According to Laslett, later life comprises a third & fourth phase. Describe those in the Third age;
Describe the Fourth age;
What do Schuller & Watson recommend these ages be conceptualised as?

Answer 4

Enjoy a considerable degree of resilience, in relation to independence, autonomy, cognitive functioning & well-being;
Period of disengagement & dependency, involving physical & mental decline, & a decrease in subjective wellbeing;
3rd: 50-75; 4th: 75 & over (fastest growing age group)

Question 5

Opportunities for the aged are undermined in what types of cultures?

Answer 5

Where health technology & birth control have created large elderly populations; economic technology, child-oriented education & adult literacy have diminished the value of traditional wisdom; contact between old & young family members is blocked by geographic mobility, suburbanisation & age prejudice

Question 6

The majority of elderly people live within communities with minimal or no nursing assistance. Those who do require institutional care are most likely to have what?;
The most common psychological condition is what?

Answer 6

Degenerative or acquired ailments (i.e. dementia/stroke);

Depression

Question 7

What is biological age?;
What is psychological age?;
What is functional age?;
What is social age?

Answer 7

An estimate of a person’s present position with respect to their potential life span;
The adaptive capacities of an individual;
Ability to function effectively within a given environment or society;
Social roles & expectations people have for themselves & those imposed by other members of society

Question 8

Describe the final stage of development according to Erikson;
Describe Buhler’s theory of intentionality ;
What does Levinson say about the Season of a Man’s Life?

Answer 8

Late adulthood (65+); ego integrity vs. despair (look back on life & feel content or disappointed);
5 age periods which modulate pursuit of goals; 65+: post self-determination (period of reminiscence & acknowledgement of degree to which goals are fulfilled);
4 different eras in life cycle, overlapping by transition; late adult transition (60–65); anxiety due to physical decline & culture views them as old

Question 9

What are some ways in which music therapy can promote independence in the elderly?

Answer 9

Motivate & stimulate interest; promote social interaction; offer decisions/choices; learn new skills/relearn past skills; offer new ways to use personal resources

Question 10

What are some benefits of singing in music therapy sessions with elderly?;
What about movement?;
How can music groups (e.g. choir/band) be beneficial?

Answer 10

Promotes deep breathing, projects voice, activates respiratory system & biomedical response; activates memory; reflection, but also recognises uniqueness of the moment in life; socialisation;
Exercise (walking/dancing); activates limbs & heart rate; relieves stiffness;
Rhythm of life (structure of rehearsal aids normalisation); social function

Question 11

What are the benefits of teaching musical instruments?;
Mixing creative arts (such as art, poetry & music) & going on musical outings can help what?;
Linking intergenerational groups (nursing homes with schools) is another approach in the…

Answer 11

Activates cognitive process (practice); aids self-esteem; music becomes part of everyday life; less dependency on therapists;
Creativity & music appreciation to emerge;
MT wellness model

Question 12

What are the 3 psychosocial theories of aging?

Answer 12

Disengagement, Continuity & Activity theories

Question 13

What does the disengagement theory suggest?

Answer 13

That elderly people voluntarily disengage from society, both psychologically & socially, & society withdraws from them

Question 14

What does the continuity theory focus on?

Answer 14

Individual differences & strategies for confronting old age

Question 15

What does the activity theory suggest?;

For which individuals is a more active, satisfying life-style more likely?

Answer 15

People who age most successfully are those who stay active & involved;
Those who are physically & mentally healthy & have adequate financial resources

Question 16

What does the Person-Environment Transactional Perspective recognise?;
According to this view, successful aging is achieved by what?;
What can produce a satisfying life?

Answer 16

The importance of the interaction of the older person with their environment; stresses the idea of continuous growth throughout the life-cycle;
A healthy self esteem & the ability to cope with the numerous losses encountered;
Effective structure of the social & physical environment

Question 17

What are some losses experienced by the elderly?

Answer 17

Mental functioning (cognitive processing, memory); physical functioning; status & role (career, activity); significant relationships (deaths/separations); possessions & familiar surroundings (home, independence, financial)

Question 18

A swedish study of 20 women (60-83 yo) explored how culture functioned as a health resource for elderly women. How did these women describe music-making?;
What did membership of a wind band & choir support?

Answer 18

As a way to survive, reviving, a “breathing hole in my life”, & a source of comfort; increased quality of life;
Well-being, sense of purpose & accomplishment, fulfillment, personal growth & social relationships

Question 19

Active music-making may be a particularly powerful context for health & wellbeing in the elderly. What do these social networks have the potential to impact upon?

Answer 19

Physiological & psychological health; decrease the risk of dementia; increase happiness among individual members; contribute to recovery from depression & maintenance of personal well-being

Question 20

What are some positive outcomes associated with participation in instrumental music-making?

Answer 20

Opportunities for progression, enjoyment, alleviating loneliness, coping with challenges of aging, add a depth of meaning to life & maintain a high musical self-concept

Question 21

What were the aims of Hallam et al.’s Music for Life Project?

Answer 21

To explore the ways in which participating in creative music making activities can enhance the lives of older people; consider the extent to which this may impact on social, emotional & cognitive well-being; & consider the specific processes through which this occurs

Question 22

What activities were included in Hallam et al.’s 349 music group members?;
What about the control group of 102?;
What were the range of ages & gender?;
How were results measured?

Answer 22

Group singing, rock groups, guitar, ukelele, steel pans, percussion, recorder, music appreciation & keyboard;
Language classes, art/craft classes, yoga, social support, book club, social club;
50-93; 80% of music group was female (majority white);
Interviews, observations & questionnaire before & 9 months after participation; quality of life measures & basic needs scales

Question 23

What did the results of the music for life project reveal?

Answer 23

Social benefits & potential for musical development for beginners as well as those with prior experience; quantitative data showed no statistically significant differences; qualitative data from interviews revealed wide range of perceived benefits

Question 24

What were some perceived social benefits from Hallam et al.’s study?;
What were some perceived cognitive benefits?

Answer 24

Structure to daily life; fun & enjoyment; sense of belonging; opportunities to socialise with others (including from different generations) & to give back to the community through performance
Challenge & sense of achievement; enhanced concentration & memory; keeping mentally active & sense of feeling young; increased music appreciation

Question 25

Describe the emotional & mental health benefits from Hallam’s study;
What about the physical health benefits?

Answer 25

Protection against depression & stress; generation of positive emotions; support following bereavement; creative expression; sense of purpose; confidence & empowerment; feelings of rejuvenation;
Alleviation of asthma & breathing difficulties; contribution to overall, general, physical health; physical workout

Question 26

45% of people over 65 suffer from what?;
80% of older adults with these symptoms receive what?
Depression in the elderly is frequently what?;
What are the 4 risk factors to suicide among the elderly?

Answer 26

Some sort of depression;
No treatment;
Ignored or accepted as the natural consequence of aging;
Being alone; being male; loss of a spouse; failing health

Question 27

List the goals of music therapy for the elderly

Answer 27

Increase upper/lower limb strength, mobility, range of motion; increase appropriate social interaction; stimulate long-term memory; improve short-term memory, cognitive abilities, reality orientation, self esteem, verbal/communication skills; promote relaxation; reduce stress & maladaptive behaviour; enhance reminiscence

Question 28

According to Clair, as well as the benefits of developing musical skills, how does music enhance social integration?;
How does it enhance intellectual stimulation?

Answer 28

It requires decision making, compromise, respect for others, consideration, increase self-esteem & sense of purpose;
Through performance, learning about history/culture of music; composing melodies, lyrics & instrumentation

Question 29

List some commonly used music therapy techniques used in these environments

Answer 29

Improvisation; receptive & recreative; insight oriented song writing; sensory training; remotivation; reminiscence; group music-making; music/movement groups

Question 30

What is Sensory training used for? ;

When is it most often used?

Answer 30

To restore contact with the environment by providing sensory based activities to improve social, physical & psychological functioning;
As a starting point for the most severely regressed elderly individuals

Question 31

Describe stage 1 of sensory training;

What can goals include?

Answer 31

Used for those with short attention spans, deficits in fine motor coordination & poor communication skills; uses passive activities & programs must be concrete, structured & uncomplicated;
Improved body awareness; gross & fine motor skills; social interaction

Question 32

Stage 2 of sensory training is used for higher functioning clients, & aims to further improve what?

Answer 32

Body awareness; attention span; memory; motor function; encourages client to take more active role in the program; requires more interaction from client

Question 33

What are the goals of reality orientation?;
For which clients is it most effective?;
What do musical activities incorporate the use of?

Answer 33

To provide accurate & consistent information about the environment; reduce effects of institutionalization; improve self-awareness;
Those functioning at a high verbal & interpersonal level; those suffering from temporary/fluctuating confusion due to stroke, brain trauma or early stage dementia;
Clocks, calendars, reality orientation board (info re weather, dates, holidays, etc)

Question 34

What does remotivation aim to do?;

What occurs?

Answer 34

Stimulate thinking, verbal interaction & improve social skills (most effective in small groups);
Topics are selected for discussion & props such as newspaper clippings, photographs, clothing, or music are used to stimulate discussion

Question 35

Why is reminiscence a useful tool?;

What are some goals of this technique?

Answer 35

Helps to put lives into perspective; review past life events & experiences; music can trigger memories; effective in individual/group therapy (can include photos, antiques, movies, etc to foster reminiscence)
Increase socialisation; improve interpersonal interactions; strengthen self-esteem