Music & Older People Flashcards
What are the 3 disciplines of aging?
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
Across the disciplines, what is the most significant issue in normal aging?
Quality of life
Over the last 2 decades, the amount of people aged 85 years & over has increased by how much?;
100 years & over?
156%;
185%
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?
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)
Opportunities for the aged are undermined in what types of cultures?
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
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?
Degenerative or acquired ailments (i.e. dementia/stroke);
Depression
What is biological age?;
What is psychological age?;
What is functional age?;
What is social age?
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
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?
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
What are some ways in which music therapy can promote independence in the elderly?
Motivate & stimulate interest; promote social interaction; offer decisions/choices; learn new skills/relearn past skills; offer new ways to use personal resources
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?
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
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…
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
What are the 3 psychosocial theories of aging?
Disengagement, Continuity & Activity theories
What does the disengagement theory suggest?
That elderly people voluntarily disengage from society, both psychologically & socially, & society withdraws from them
What does the continuity theory focus on?
Individual differences & strategies for confronting old age
What does the activity theory suggest?;
For which individuals is a more active, satisfying life-style more likely?
People who age most successfully are those who stay active & involved;
Those who are physically & mentally healthy & have adequate financial resources
What does the Person-Environment Transactional Perspective recognise?;
According to this view, successful aging is achieved by what?;
What can produce a satisfying life?
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
What are some losses experienced by the elderly?
Mental functioning (cognitive processing, memory); physical functioning; status & role (career, activity); significant relationships (deaths/separations); possessions & familiar surroundings (home, independence, financial)
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?
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
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?
Physiological & psychological health; decrease the risk of dementia; increase happiness among individual members; contribute to recovery from depression & maintenance of personal well-being
What are some positive outcomes associated with participation in instrumental music-making?
Opportunities for progression, enjoyment, alleviating loneliness, coping with challenges of aging, add a depth of meaning to life & maintain a high musical self-concept
What were the aims of Hallam et al.’s Music for Life Project?
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
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?
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
What did the results of the music for life project reveal?
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
What were some perceived social benefits from Hallam et al.’s study?;
What were some perceived cognitive benefits?
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
Describe the emotional & mental health benefits from Hallam’s study;
What about the physical health benefits?
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
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?
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
List the goals of music therapy for the elderly
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
According to Clair, as well as the benefits of developing musical skills, how does music enhance social integration?;
How does it enhance intellectual stimulation?
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
List some commonly used music therapy techniques used in these environments
Improvisation; receptive & recreative; insight oriented song writing; sensory training; remotivation; reminiscence; group music-making; music/movement groups
What is Sensory training used for? ;
When is it most often used?
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
Describe stage 1 of sensory training;
What can goals include?
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
Stage 2 of sensory training is used for higher functioning clients, & aims to further improve what?
Body awareness; attention span; memory; motor function; encourages client to take more active role in the program; requires more interaction from client
What are the goals of reality orientation?;
For which clients is it most effective?;
What do musical activities incorporate the use of?
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)
What does remotivation aim to do?;
What occurs?
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
Why is reminiscence a useful tool?;
What are some goals of this technique?
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
