“Every year again, Silent Night, Oh you happy one”: Music and music therapy can have a beneficial effect on the well-being of people with dementia.
Music-based offerings and activities from all areas of musical life often have a positive effect on people with dementia. In the middle to late stages of dementia, a lot of experience and specialist knowledge is necessary due to the increasing cognitive and communicative limitations. For many people with dementia, it is therefore important to be treated by qualified music therapists. People with dementia should be given more comprehensive access to music in general and to music therapy in particular.
Prof. Dr. Jan Sonntag (Medical School Hamburg), music therapist and founding member of the Federal Initiative for Music and Dementia
Vienna (OTS) – The growing number of people suffering from dementia and age-related changes represents one of the major challenges for our society. Various professional groups in the health and care sciences are constantly working together to improve treatment, care and support, with the aim of: to ensure the greatest possible quality of life.
Music therapy offers a wide range of support potential here. An actual Potentialanalyse from Germany shows that the need for suitable music therapy measures in geriatric care facilities is not nearly met. The same undoubtedly applies to hospitals and the home environment.
Actively playing and listening to music, including singing and dancing, has many positive effects on the well-being, mental and physical health and communication skills of people with dementia. In all areas of musical life – from instrumental lessons to the choir to music therapy – this is experienced every day in many places and has now been proven by a large number of scientific investigations and studies.
Music therapists use a high level of expertise to intensively address the needs of people affected by dementia and their families. Music therapy can alleviate accompanying symptoms of dementia, such as apathy or restlessness, and improve orientation and general vitality. Music therapy also offers effective help in dealing with depression, which often occurs in the preliminary stages of dementia and in the first stage of dementia. Furthermore, independence in activities of daily living can be increased and the psychological quality of life of caring relatives can be improved.
Prof. Dr. Jan Sonntag (Medical School Hamburg), music therapist and founding member of the Federal Initiative for Music and Dementia: „Music-based offerings and activities from all areas of musical life often have a positive effect on people with dementia. In the middle to late stages of dementia, a lot of experience and specialist knowledge is necessary due to the increasing cognitive and communicative limitations. For many people with dementia, it is therefore important to be treated by qualified music therapists. People with dementia should be given more comprehensive access to music in general and to music therapy in particular.
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In Austria, music therapy is a recognized, independent health profession. The high-quality training takes place at universities and technical colleges (bachelor’s and master’s degrees). In addition to musical and therapeutic skills, music therapists have knowledge of neurology, psychology, psychiatry and physiology. Music therapy treatments and offers are therefore always scientifically based and tailored to the patient’s problems. The quality of music therapy work is ensured by a federal law and the ministry. There are currently more than 500 music therapists working in Austria.
Questions & Contact:
ÖBM – Austrian professional association of music therapists
Mag.a Daniela Csefalvay (Management)
Tel.: +43 (0) 677 635 45304
daniela.csefalvay@oebm.org | www.oebm.org