Witnesses to transformation: Family member experiences providing individualized music to their relatives with dementia

• Main Authors: Elizabeth Johnston, Xeno Rasmusson, Barbara Foyil, Patricia Shopland
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2017-01-01
• Series: Cogent Education
• Subjects: music education; technology; twenty-first-century learning; music therapy; dementia; quality-of-life; caregivers; teaching/learning strategies
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2017.1362888

Content analysis of 35 family members stories found that sharing individualized music enhanced memory, mood and provided interactive opportunities, where family members connected and communicated with relatives who had dementia. Technology supports a positive new role for family members, who often use MP3 players (e.g. iPods), headphones, splitters, and other technical devices to share preferred, culturally relevant, and digitized music with relatives with dementia. Family members, who provided individualized music described new positive memories and transformed beliefs about the disease and their loved one. Educational leaders in general and music educators specifically, have an opportunity to add renewed emphasis to the culture and value of music as a lifelong resource. Music appreciation courses that include technological skills for creating playlists could support a lifetime of access to individualized music for young and older students, who are also prepared to address needs of those with neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.