Music is being used in new ways in the aged care industry lately. Whether it is singing as a group to feel more connected or writing music to help families feel more connected with dementia patients, it seems the potential of music is growing quickly in Dementia Care!
These are just a few ways in which University of Melbourne’s Dr. Imogen Clark is investigating the power of music to improve health and well-being in older adults.
Dr. Clark was awarded a $50,000 Research Grant from Hazel Hawke to explore the potential of group songwriting as a means for fostering wellbeing, social connection, mental health and quality of life for people living with dementia and their families.
At the 15th World Congress of Music Therapy in Tsukuba, Japan, last year, Clark discussed two other music therapy research projects and concluded that innovative music therapy interventions can play an important role in addressing ageing policy and may reduce the burden of age-related healthcare to society.
To hear a fantastic recording of Aged Care Insite interviewing Clark about the ways that she is implementing music therapy to assist dementia projects, head to this link!
