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Communicating Beyond Words Music Therapy Adds Melody to Life by Teresa D. Johnson Since the time of Aristotle and Plato, music has been hailed as a balm for the wounded soul and the ailing body. The physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic and spiritual aspects of music help adult day center participants improve, restore or maintain health routinely. Whether through ringing bells, listening, singing, writing songs or drumming, music therapy often makes the transition into adult day services smoother for people like George Smith.
George suffered multiple losses less than a year ago, including some of his memory to multi-infarct dementia, his driver’s license and a strong sense of independence. Like many families enrolling loved ones in adult day services, George’s family insisted that he not be made to feel like an invalid. Total Life Center-Creedmoor Road (Raleigh, NC) welcomed him into the adult day center as a ‘volunteer’ who quickly became an asset to The Treble Clefs, their bell choir. George was immediately able to play a musical instrument for the first time. His wide eyes and bright smile as a result of the accomplishment were priceless.
The Treble Clefs play by color or number; George has often been able to help prompt others who are less cognitive to play. George helps with simple and complex tasks--from carrying the bells and helping pass them out to directing the choir. George takes great pride in his role as ‘Assistant Director’ and has led the group in public performances as well as bell choir practices.
Lambert House West in King City, OR, has discovered similar responses. At least once per week the staff and participants make their own music with tone chimes. The technique is similar to that of bell ringing, only tone chimes create a slightly different sound. The participants are seated in easy chairs arranged in a semi-circle. A space is left for those who need assistance from a staff member or volunteer.
Names of the notes for an octave and a half are pinned onto each of the participants. Corresponding tone chimes are given to the respective participants: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F. If the group is large enough, sharps and flats are added. One or two participants are designated to play the accidental. For key changes in a smaller group, sharps or flats are assigned to the individual playing that note (C becomes the C#, B becomes Bb, etc.).
Center staff who reads music writes out the melody notes on the music flip chart so any of the staff may lead the tone chimes. The music director then points to each individual when it is his or her turn to play. Familiar songs are usually chosen and sung through before chimes are added. The participants find the activity very rewarding since many of them never had the opportunity to play music before. "What’s even more surprising and rewarding is to see the intent dynamic interest and attention by those listening," says a staff member. "They’re every bit as involved as the players."
A music therapist uses a variety of music and activities to address the needs of the participants depending on their treatment goals. The responses from the music are varied, depending on their levels of functioning. Some of the techniques used in music therapy are congruities, lyric analysis, imperfection, sing-alongs, drawing, painting and music listening. Participants at Selwyn Life Center at Mercy (Charlotte, NC) enjoy improvisation--making up the music as they go. The participants who have never had a piano lesson before can play the piano with guidance from the music therapist. Improvisation allows participants to enhance creativity, spontaneity and self-expression.
Drumming is also becoming an important therapeutic tool. "Drum circles" help Alzheimer’s patients focus, if only temporarily. Drumming exercises greatly reduce stress among war veterans and other victims of trauma, apparently by altering their brain-wave patterns. Some research indicates listening to music with rhythmic cues improves motor coordination in stroke patients and in those with Parkinson’s disease, helping them walk up to 50 percent faster.
Music professor Frederick Tims of University of Miami and a cadre of researchers investigating the power of music as medicine are compiling scientific data to prove their claims. Dr. Tims tells of hepatitis patients sensing relief after being swaddled in New Age music, and he had the blood tests that prove the virus receded. The researchers also examined several other areas of interest: whether music could boost production of vital hormones like melatonin, spurring better sleep and better health; and whether guided imagery and music could affect the mood of healthy adults, as well as reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. The results of intensive tests were astounding: six weeks after the sessions had ended for the patients, melatonin levels were more than 400 percent higher. Two weeks after the therapy, growth hormones got an average boost of 250 percent.
Music is powerful. Some people who seem otherwise confused can nonetheless tap a drum perfectly on cue; Alzheimer’s victims unable to speak can sing childhood melodies; those barely able to walk can dance a waltz. While no amount of drumming or humming can cure a disease, it can improve the quality of life and offer another way for family members to communicate with their loved ones.¥
References
Special thanks to Total Life Center-Creedmoor Road (Raleigh, NC) and Lambert House West (King City, OR) for contributing to this article.
Reprinted from The Information Source for Adult Day Centers®, June 1998 |