In this exclusive blog interview, we are delighted to introduce you to a talented music therapy student currently on placement at Turner Home. Join us as we delve into the inspiring story of how music can create a sense of community and foster healing within our walls, even as the student continues to make a difference to lives of our people.
A few things about you ?
My background is in community music and over the last 20 years I have worked with many different groups of people in many different settings across Liverpool, from children with special needs, to choirs for people experiencing homelessness and adults living with dementia. I currently teach music in two primary schools, alongside studying for my masters in Nordoff Robins Music Therapy.
What inspired you to choose music therapy as your area of study and practice?
I have seen first-hand the impact that music can have on mental health and wellbeing, as well as how it can be used to foster connections with those most at risk of isolation I’m passionate about working musically with people to break down barriers, and this is why I chose to train as a music therapist.
Can you share some of the key benefits you’ve observed in care home residents.
Music therapy offer opportunities for social interaction, communication and to help affirm identity , as well as offering an important creative and expressive outlet. It doesn’t require words but encourages dialogue and exchange through the music. Music therapy can enable flow, when being in flow may be difficult for many residents. During sessions residents experience having impact and agency in the music, which can be important for people who might be quite disempowered in their day to day lives for whatever reason. By working on these aspects of personhood, people may experience changes in their mood and an increase in self-esteem and confidence
How do you approach tailoring music therapy sessions to cater to the unique needs and preferences of individual residents?
Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy is a person-centred approach, meaning that we try to really meet a person where they are; if they only make a single vocal sound, or play an instrument in one particular way then that is where we will start in our music making. The music we make is collaborative and comes from whatever a person brings to a session on any given day. No two sessions will ever be the same because no two people are the same. The approach involves intense listening, observing of body movements and using music actively to help each resident realise their potential. The feeling of being acknowledged or ‘heard’ in this way can be hugely empowering, especially to those who have little control or agency in their day to day lives.
Have you witnessed any particularly memorable or impactful moments during your music therapy sessions that you'd like to share?
Albert (not his real name) is 90 years old, living with dementia, and well known within the care home as being an outstanding pianist. On my first session with him I was truly bowled over by his playing. His dexterity and lightness of touch was striking, as was his memory of long and complex pieces of music. It was a joy to hear him play, but I wondered what music therapy could offer him. Over the following weeks I have worked with Albert to negotiate the musical space together, and with other residents. Gradually he is becoming more flexible and open to improvisation. Hearing him adapt his playing to accompany others’ singing shows me he is really listening to, and respecting their input, often pausing or adjusting his tempo to match theirs. We have worked especially hard on endings – where his natural tendency is to segway straight from one piece of music into the next. He now often takes musical, gestural or verbal cues to come to a complete stop. This may have significance in terms of his verbal interactions outside of music, which can often show the same tendencies.
In encouraging Albert to move away from the piano to make music in other ways it has been lovely to see him exploring other instruments, such as percussion and improvised vocalisations. From this new position he is able to view group interactions more clearly and often gives encouragement to myself and other residents, complimenting us on our playing.
Music therapy offers Albert a clear role as the musical expert within the group, perhaps reinforcing his identity as an accomplished musician, rather than someone who is living with dementia. I and the rest of the group serve as witnesses to this, and are also able to learn from him as the expert, a role that he perhaps has less opportunity to perform in his daily life . Music therapy requires Albert to stretch himself both musically and socially, helping him to have new experiences and forge new connections. I look forward to seeing where our work together takes us next.
In your experience, what role does music therapy play in fostering social connections among care home residents?
Where illness can create barriers to communication and interaction, music enables these fundamental aspects of being human to become possible, without the use of words. Many people in care homes live with isolating conditions which make it increasingly difficult to form and sustain relationships.
In music therapy residents are brought into meaningful interactions, engage in musical dialogue, support each other, take turns and work together to express themselves. In group sessions residents who may spend most of their day sitting alone, or in silence are given a reason to come into a shared space and create something together. The social connections built within sessions have been wonderful to witness and have potential to transcend beyond music therapy, rippling out to the rest of care home life. At the end of some group sessions, I have noticed residents and staff are energetically chatting freely together and continuing their interactions, whereas previously there had been little conversation.
How do you envision the future of music therapy in care homes, and what role do you hope to play in advancing this field?
There is a wealth of growing research showing the efficacy of music therapy in care homes. For example, the National Institute for Clinical Exellence includes music therapy as a recommendation as part of dementia care (www.nice.org,uk) and many other organisations, such as Alzheimer’s Association and Dementia UK report on the benefit of music (and music therapy) generally as a way of making meaningful connections. As this awareness continues to grow, I hope that more and more care homes will recognise the potential of music therapy to enrich the lives of their residents. I share the belief of Nordoff & Robbins Music Therapy that music is a human right, and to this end I would love to see music therapy offered as part of the standard care package provided every person in care.
On a personal level I look forward to many years ahead working in care home settings, making music with, learning from and advocating for the people who live there.
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