Tuneful therapy music to ears of elderly people

IT increases energy levels, improves communication and motor neurone skills and relaxes the listener - if music be the food of life, play on.

A project documenting the benefits of music in care of elderly people has found using live music in residential and daycare environments has a positive effect on both patient and staff wellbeing.

Patients reported increased capacity for creativity, enjoyment, concentration and motivation to overcome physical and psychological obstacles, while staff said it created an appreciation of alternative approaches to healthcare.

That’s according to the findings of the Music in Healthcare Report 2000-2004, launched this week by Senator Mary O’Rourke, which summarises an evaluation report into a partnership project developed by Music Network, the national music development agency, and the Midland Health Board (now part of the Health Service Executive (HSE) Dublin Mid-Leinster region) over a five-year period.

Over those five years, hundreds of older people in nine residential and daycare centres in the midlands participated in creative workshops with teams of professional classical, jazz and traditional musicians.

Participating clients were aged from their late 50s to their early 90s, the majority in their 70s and 80s.

The evaluation report highlighted the need to build on the project, prioritising two areas for action: the development of a partnership between HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster and local arts groups to establish a sustainable musician-in-residence programme for older people; and the further development of training opportunities for musicians interested in working in this context.

Music in Healthcare 2000-2004 is available from Music Network, Coach House, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, on 01 6719429, or at www.musicnetwork.ie