Music Therapy in Geriatric Care: A Sample of Books

In my previous writings, I’ve offered personal insights gleaned from my experiences at Theodor Fliedner Haus, a nursing home situated in Mannheim, Germany. Among these reflections, I’ve also delved into the realm of music within the caregiving context, spotlighting my five favorite songs encountered while working in the nursing home.

For this particular post, my aim is to embark on a deeper exploration of the diverse array of resources, books, and studies that have significantly influenced and informed my practice as a music therapist in geriatric care.

Music therapy boasts a rich history in geriatric care, spanning a spectrum of services tailored specifically to the needs of older adults. This comprehensive approach encompasses addressing not only dementia but also catering to individuals with neurologic diseases, mitigating the effects of diminished physical activity, and providing indispensable support for the myriad psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual needs that may arise during this pivotal phase of life.

In this blog post, I am eager to share a curated selection of books that have significantly shaped my approach over the past few years. While this post focuses primarily on these valuable resources, I warmly encourage you to explore my other blog posts for a more intimate glimpse into my personal experiences within the field.

Books

To kickstart this exploration, I’d like to begin by introducing a few noteworthy books that delve into the realm of music therapy in geriatric care. These resources offer valuable insights, research findings, and practical strategies for navigating the complexities of providing music-based interventions in the context of aging and eldercare.

Music Therapy in Dementia Care – Edited by David Aldridge

David Aldridge curated an insightful anthology on music therapy and dementia care, published in the year 2000. This seminal work, spanning 11 chapters and 256 pages, offers a comprehensive exploration of crucial topics, including singing, improvisation, assessments, recollection, movement, and various other facets pertinent to therapeutic endeavors within this specialized setting.

In his masterful introduction titled “It’s Not What You Do But the Way You Do It,” Aldridge eloquently delves into the performative and polyrhythmic essence of existence. He artfully describes humanity as “symphonic beings improvised in the moment,” encapsulating the profound interplay between individual expression and the dynamic unfolding of life itself. With lyrical finesse, he posits, “I perform, therefore I am,” encapsulating the inherent connection between one’s actions and the essence of being.

Yet, amidst this poetic exploration, Aldridge does not shy away from confronting the sobering reality of Alzheimer’s disease. He poignantly highlights the tragedy inherent in this condition, wherein individuals, while retaining perception, gradually lose their capacity for performance. In losing their grasp on the present moment, they become untethered in space and disoriented in time, facing a profound existential dislocation that reverberates through every aspect of their lived experience. It is within this context that music therapists can aid individuals to find their muse to be able to perform again.

The book contains the following chapters:

1. An overview of the music therapy literature relating to the elderly, Melissa Brotons, USA.
2. Working with words: People with dementia and the significance of narratives, Trisha Kotai-Ewers, Australia.
3. The importance of singing with elderly patients, Alicia Clair, USA.
4. The problem of agitation in the elderly and the potential benefit of music therapy, Annemiek Vink, Netherlands.
5. A survey of music therapy practice with the elderly in the Netherlands, Annemiek Vink, Netherlands.
6. Improvisation as an assessment of potential in early Alzheimer’s disease, Gudrun Aldridge, Germany.
7. Creative music therapy: A last resort? Fraser Simpson, England.
8. Remembering and forgiving, Susan Weber, Germany.
9. Working with images and recollection with elderly patients, Connie Tomaino, USA.
10. We’ll survive: An experiential view of dance movement therapy for people with dementia, Marion Violets.

Music Therapy in Geriatric Care – Alexander Wormit, Thomas Hillecke, Dorothee von Moreau, Carsten Diener

“Music Therapy In Geriatric Care,” a concise yet invaluable resource, is the collaborative effort of esteemed professors from Heidelberg, including Alexander Wormit, Thomas Hillecke, Dorothee von Moreau, and Carsten Diener. This book offers a pragmatic approach while meticulously gathering evidence to support the efficacy of music therapy within geriatric settings.

Comprehensive in its scope, the book provides essential information on interventions, goals, and the requisite skills needed for effective music therapy practice in geriatric care. It serves as both a primer and an indispensable initial point of departure for individuals embarking on their journey in this specialized field.

One of its most commendable attributes is its accessibility—it caters not only to German-speaking practitioners but also offers an English-translated version, ensuring its reach extends far beyond linguistic barriers. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the realm of geriatric care, this book is a must-have addition to your library, offering practical guidance and evidence-based insights to enrich your practice and enhance the lives of older adults through the transformative power of music therapy.

Demenz und Atmosphäre – Jan Sonntag

Throughout this year, I’ve immersed myself in Jan Sonntag’s captivating exploration of the “Atmosphere” concept. Sonntag’s body of work, comprised of several German articles, a book, and at least one English article, has been instrumental in broadening my comprehension of therapeutic atmospheres. From my ongoing engagement with his insights, it’s become abundantly clear that nurturing therapeutic atmospheres is not merely incidental but rather intrinsic to our role as therapists, particularly within the realm of dementia care.

In environments where individuals may grapple with the loss of certain language or cognitive abilities, the cultivation of an atmosphere that embraces and uplifts them takes on heightened significance. In my own professional journey, I’ve borne witness to the profound impact of these therapeutic atmospheres. Through simple yet profound gestures—such as the warmth of my smile, maintaining meaningful eye contact, and communicating in a gentle yet articulate manner—I’ve observed how residents respond with a palpable sense of recognition and appreciation.

Though Prof. Sonntag’s book presents a comprehensive exploration of the concept of “atmospheres,” I must acknowledge that navigating its depths can prove challenging, particularly for someone like myself whose mother tongue is not German. Nevertheless, amidst the occasional denseness, it offers a treasure trove of inspiring ideas that transcend linguistic barriers, enriching my practice and deepening my understanding of the transformative potential inherent within therapeutic environments.

Musik und Alter in Therapie und Pflege – Edited by Thomas Wosch

Released in 2011, this comprehensive tome is divided into three sections: the first elucidates fundamental concepts, the second delves into the practices of several German institutions operating at the nexus of music and aging, while the third section comprises chapters centered around practical applications within this domain. Regrettably, this resource is exclusively accessible in German.

Below is a compilation of the chapters featured in the book:

1. Current State of Music Therapy in Aging and Dementia – Thomas Wosch
2. Neuropsychological Aspects of Remembering Familiar Songs in People with Alzheimer’s Disease – Franziska Adler
3. Singing in Music Therapy with People with Dementia – Neuropsychological, Psychophysiological, and Psychodynamic Foundations and Perspectives – Hanne Mette Ridder
4. Investigation into the Anchoring of Folk Songs in Different Age Generations – a Pilot Study at the Magdeburg Christmas Market – Heike Fischer
5. The Significance of Popular Music in Music Therapy for Dementia – an Empirical Study – Karsten Kiewitt
6. Motivation and Musical Life in Geriatric Depression and Dementia – Maika Schroeder
7. Relationship Quality in Music Therapy with People with Dementia – Britta Warme, Claudia Steinert
8. Music on Wheels – Ambulatory Music Therapy – Barbara Keller, Cornelia Klären
9. Music Therapy in Special Stationary Dementia Care – The Hamburg Model – Jan Sonntag
10. GRAMMOPHON – Mobile Music Therapy e. V. – Franziska Adler, Sabrina Mewes, Dorothee Schaub, Maika Schroeder, Thomas Wosch
11. House-Music – A Model Project for Care with Music for People with Dementia and Their Caregivers – Dorothea Muthesius
12. Songwriting with Older Adults – a Music Therapy Project in the Senior Home – Angelika Gerhardt, Katrin Gruschka, Christine Schneider
13. Individual Music Therapy for Dementia: Cueing, Regulation, and Validation – Hanne Mette Ridder
14. Sound Bridges – Music Therapy in Home Care for People with Dementia – Eckhard Weymann, Inga Auch-Johannes
15. Perspectives of Music Therapy in Aging and Dementia – Thomas Wosch

Musical Assessment of Gerontologic Needs and Treatment: MAGNET Survey – Roberta S. Adler

This book presents an assessment tool developed by Roberta S. Adler tailored for music therapists working with older adults in skilled nursing facilities. Specifically designed to align with the Minimum Data Set—a crucial component of the federally-mandated assessment process for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries residing in nursing facilities—the tool encompasses similar assessment domains.

The assessment protocol integrates interviews, observational methods, and musically interactive exercises to evaluate recipient functioning comprehensively. It facilitates the planning of tailored therapeutic interventions based on the individual’s needs.

I’ve found this book exceptionally valuable as it not only provides the assessment form templates but also offers a comprehensive guide on effectively utilizing them.

Musicoterapia en el ámbito geriátrico – Cora Alicia Leivinson

Through this book, the author seeks to explore the world of elderly people who participated in music therapy sessions, whether in nursing homes, day centers, or cultural centers, during the ten years they spent living in Madrid.

It is possible that some of the older adults they observed in these residences—parked, stationed, stilled—may have found a certain fullness in silence. Yet it is also true that silence, as the physical antithesis of sound, can fill us with vibrations—vibrations that, though inaudible yet perceptible, linger like an aerial trace in the atmosphere.

There is, however, another kind of silence: the silence of absolute solitude within a room full of people. That silence is hollow, and it hurts. It is precisely this silence that music therapy aims to break and transform.

A silence to be exchanged for sounds, rhythmic tapping, emotions, memories… and, finally, smiles.

Music Therapy for Older Adults: Promoting Wellbeing, Health Outcomes, and Cost-Effectiveness – Edited by Elsa Campbell, Thomas Wosch, Jeanette Tamplin

This book presents innovative, evidence-based music therapy models and music-based strategies to support people with dementia and their caregivers. Emerging from the international MUSE-CARE project, the book brings together interdisciplinary contributions from German and Australian experts as well as early-career researchers, spanning the fields of research, clinical practice, health economics, and health policy. Aimed equally at professionals, caregivers, and researchers, it highlights the potential of music-based strategies to improve the care of people with dementia and depression in later life, and to enhance quality of life across different cultures and settings, with a strong emphasis on flexibility, transferability, and empowerment.

That’s it for now! I hope you are able to benefit from these resources. My hope is to continue expanding this post, and to also curate studies, projects and other content related to music therapy and geriatric care. Thanks for reading!