Infection control is a pretty hot topic in any healthcare setting and should be, in my opinion, a hot topic in any setting. If you don’t want to get sick, avoiding germs is key. Even more important is not *spreading* germs to other people- especially if you are coming in contact with anyone with compromised immune systems. So even if you’re feeling great, you may still be carrying disease from client to client. On your hands, your shoes, your gear.
It’s helpful to know what the patient’s preferred music is, and I’ve been so happy to hear that many medical centers and nursing homes are now including this information on intake forms. I like to ask patients or their families how they ‘use’ music- what do they listen to while falling asleep? What music energizes them? What are their musical memories? Having a more complete picture of a client’s ‘musical self’ can help provide them with the comfort that is needed towards the end of life. If your family member has an advance directive, ask them to include this information.
If you're a music therapist, music teacher, activities director, or anyone who would like to incorporate instruments in your healthcare setting, this list is for you.
circuits in the brain called mirror neurons provide us with the empathy to connect our own meaning to that of the music- even if we don’t know what the composer actually meant. Experiencing empathy leads to feeling compassion, and this feels good. Listening to music, therefore, is good for all of humanity.
Sharing artmaking experiences can help promote physical health, maintain family cohesion, and make social and economic connections. Teaching an art or craft, especially, allows for self-assertion as teachers and allies to new neighbors. It can also enable elders to communicate cultural traditions to younger generations (who may not remember or may not have even seen) and incorporate these traditions into their new land. Art invokes playfulness through unique expression and can be expanded upon to overlap into present circumstances of families.
Working together, we used music as a distraction, as a reward, and as the motivation. Responding to Mia’s actions and moods through musical improvisation meant that she felt understood and was more motivated to participate in the therapy session. The music pushed her to lift higher, stretch longer, and laugh in the middle of crying.
Navigating a confusing system of healthcare options while just trying to get through a day without pain or discomfort can be exhausting, and many patients feel alone in the process. Music therapy, particularly group music therapy, is an option that can address cognitive, physical, and psychosocial issues all at once.
This tension is representative of the aforementioned difficult emotions- suspense, uncertainty, sadness- and the resolution can help listeners move through these issues to a resolution of positivity. Unresolved tensions in music, as well as key changes or rhythmic surprises, can help listeners learn to deal with unexpected changes and accept them.
I just hope this will open up an important conversation within the music community about self-care and resources for help.
This holiday season, send a song. It’s a simple, environmentally friendly and totally unique gift.