Music Therapy Musings

God showed up in today’s music therapy group through an 89 year old woman named Virginia. Virginia lives on the Alzheimer’s unit and is a relatively new resident.

Today we celebrated Independence Day in Music Therapy by having a patriotic “Name That Tune”. As residents sang and danced to patriotic music a magical occurrence began to take place…the inner spirits of those residents came to life.

As I played and hummed “God Bless America”, You’re A Grand Old Flag”, Yankee Doodle Boy” and many other songs we had dialogues about freedom and the gratitude felt for having those freedoms.

As I went around the circle it was Virginia’s turn to share. Despite her insistence that she is unable to sing she belted out each and every song in the game. When asked to share what freedom means to her and what freedoms she enjoys, her inner spirit shone through her smile. She shared her gratitude for freedom of speech and freedom to travel, but then she replied, “Oh I just love all people”. This began a God-inspired avalanche within the group that was amazing to watch.

Virginia shared how her mother had instilled the love of God and the love of people into her heart from the time of her childhood. You could see in her face that everyone meant something to her. But as she began to talk about the current state of the world, a sense of deep sadness came over her…but she persevered. The entire group was mesmerized as we watched and listened to her story. Despite her despair about the state of the world, her love and faith in God and her belief in a better life in heaven with her creator shone through.

By the end of her story most of the group members were in tears. When I looked around the room and asked why so many tears the response was unanimous…”they are good tears”.

We ended the session with a discussion about the freedom of individuality and choice to be who we want to be. And we sang “God Bless America”.

As I walked out of the session I could not help but have my own smile shining on my face. It was one of those magical moments I so much enjoy as a music therapist, where music brings connection and meaning and feeling.

I came across a nice interview on BlogTalkRadio.
Music and the Aging
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/patricia-grace/2009/08/31/music-for-aging

This video of Dr. Oliver Sacks is a good introduction to the power and connection between music and Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. I was at work today working with a young woman who has dementia. Her language skills are compromised and in the short time I have known her I have barely heard her speak.

Today we were singing. I sang many songs from the 60’s and 70’s, songs that I knew my residents had probably not known too well, if at all. As I broke into “Blowin’ in the Wind” my young resident came alive. Sitting right in front of me she burst into a big smile and began singing the song. When we had finished, she could hardly contain herself. “That was beautiful.”, she said and proceeded to reminisce about being a girl scout and all the fun she had had.

It was a magical moment; one of those moments I treasure in my work as a music therapist. The power of a simple song to reach people who can be so hard to reach is amazing.

There is a great podcast on the topic of songwriting on Music Therapy Roundtable this month.

One of my personal intervention favorites with clients is songwriting. I actually began writing my own songs before I ever became a music therapist so it was natural for me to work my skill into my clinical work. There are several methods to writing songs which I use with my older adults and Alzheimer/dementia clients. Songs we write can be as simple as taking a song that is already known to the residents, such as “If I Had a Hammer” and having them fill in the blanks.

If I had a ______________________
I’d ____________________________
I’d ____________________________
All through the _________________

You get the idea.

Spring boarding off that method…I have used well known songs and had residents simply rewrite all the lyrics, but keep the music to the original song in place. One of the long term care facilities I work in is located in the country and “country is in the name of their facility. We took John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads” and rewrote the lyrics, turning it into a song about their own home/facility. We then performed the song for other residents and staff. It was fun to see the response the group got.

Finally, I have even been able to have some groups write original lyrics and music when using songwriting as a clinical music therapy intervention.

Songwriting produces some wonderful results in improving self-esteem and pride to a much needed means of self-expression. Definitely one of my favorite interventions.

Kat Fulton, MT-BC has a great short video on ways to make music with older adults.

An interesting article on music therapy with dementia clients.

Are you a music therapist who works with older adults? If you are you have information that I find valuable.
I am working on a new resource website for music therapits who work with older adults, those suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia as well as the elderly in long term care. As I begin to build this community there are some things I would like to know from MT’s working in this area of music therapy.

If you are such a music therapist, please contact me. I appreciate it.

These last two weeks were filled with resident bell choir performances for the holidays. In one of the facilities I work in this is the third year we have performed, in the other facility this is a brand new choir and their first performance. It was wonderful. I get such a sense of joy and peace when I watch the reactions of the other residents and staff who come to these performances. In addition, the adoration and praise that the members of the choir get is wonderful to see as well. To watch the faces of older adults, many whom often don’t get enough attention, is heart warming.

I think the bell choir performances are one of my favorite events that we have at the facilities in which I work. I try to have one of these concerts at least 3-4 times a year. So after the holidays are over my choirs will be gearing up for St. Patrick’s Day!

This week, once again, I was privileged to witness the power of music in action.

I was working with an elderly lady who spends a lot of time in her room, sleeping while the tv is on. We have been working together for a few weeks and she has been extremely lethargic and sleepy. This week I brought a variety of music from the 40’s and 50’s. I put CDs on and as we listened my client began to transform.

Slowly at first her eyes would open, she would look at me and smile. Then she began to sing, quite loudly I might add, and smile away. As the music continued and we talked about each tune, her memories of it, etc. she began to “dance” in her chair. She swayed and moved and smiled and sang. She shared how much she loved to dance, the fox trot is her favorite, and how she wishes she could still get out on the floor.

We spent our time together on the moderated dance floor of her recliner. We laughed, we reminisced, and we danced. By the end of the session I asked her how she was feeling, was she still tired? “Oh no” was her reply. In fact she was so full of energy that she didn’t want me to go and I left her listening to the music as I went to work with other residents.

It was a wonderful transformation to witness and to be a small part of. We were together in the mid-morning, shortly before lunch. I can only imagine how her appetite must have been for lunch that day!

I just got done watching today’s episode of Oprah. She was at Ceasar’s Palace with Cher and Tina Turner. It was truly an inspirational show. Not only do both Cher and Tina look incredible for their age, they ARE incredible. Tina, a wise 68 years in age, just announced she is going back on the road to tour, and Cher is doing a 3 year gig at Ceasar’s!

When asked how she feels about getting older Tina said she embraces it. Over the years she has learned so much.

As I watched these two icons perform, I have been watching Cher since I was in 4th or 5th grade, I was truly inspired by their talent, their energy, and their spirit. It reminded me that your spirit can shine at ANY age!

I found myself thinking about the clients I work with. I am often helping them to re-connect with their own creative spirit and supporting them in their desire to give that spirit voice in this world. Many of them often think they have nothing left to give, that they are too old. They are not. I wish I had this episode of Oprah to show them, but I guess our work together and the power of music and music therapy will have to do.

What about you? When was the last time you let your creative spirit shine?