Improving Long-Term Care Residents’ Well-Being Through Music #MusicMonday
When you’re young, mix tapes and playlists, can be like a bouquet of flowers. They can express affection, create memories, and show someone who you are through the tracks you choose. But in Texas long-term care facilities are drawing from the work of Dan Cohen to create individualized music playlists for patience with memory disorders to reduce the use of antipsychotic medication. Here’s more from Texas Health and Human Services:
In 2015 Texas Health and Human Services selected 32 nursing homes to participate in the Music & Memory program. The goal is to help residents reconnect with the world through specific, music-triggered memories. Family members and nursing home staff will create personal playlists for use on digital music players, such as iPods…. A documentary about Cohen’s work, Alive Inside, won the Audience Award at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival…..
Cohen’s ongoing research has shown:
Residents are happier and more social.
Relationships among staff, residents and family deepen.
Everyone benefits from a calmer, more supportive social environment.
Staff regain valuable time previously lost to behavior management issues.
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