Music as a therapeutic medium for engagement: training to support the well‐being of caregivers as well as their cared‐for patients

Abstract

There is a common view among care staff working with people with dementia that regular musical interactions are likely to have positive effects on the physical and emotional well‐being of their clients. Yet, staff can often feel embarrassed or ill‐at‐ease when invited to sing or engage in musical activities with clients. Trish Vella Burrows reports on an interprofessional training programme that aims to provide a practical platform for staff who profess not to be musical to recognise existing skills and to develop these skills as a catalyst to simultaneously enhance their own wellbeing at work and the well‐being of the people for whom they care.

Citation

Burrows, T. (2009), "Music as a therapeutic medium for engagement: training to support the well‐being of caregivers as well as their cared‐for patients", Working with Older People, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 25-28. https://doi.org/10.1108/13663666200900047