Music Therapy and How It Can Benefit Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease Joni Pappas MA, MT-BC

What is Music Therapy? Became a profession in 1950 Allied health profession Clinical and evidence based interventions Became a profession in 1950 What is Music Therapy?

Degrees and Professional Requirements Earn a Bachelor’s degree or higher 1200 hour clinical internship post classwork Board Certification 100 continuing education credits per 5 years Degrees and Professional Requirements

Who Benefits from Music Therapy? Past – mental illness and developmental disabilities Present – wide variety of populations Who Benefits from Music Therapy?

FOCUS Functional Outcomes Enhance strengths Address needs Meaningful interactions with loved ones FOCUS Functional Outcomes

Interventions Sensory stimulation ∙ auditory ∙ visual ∙ tactile ACTIVE PASSIVE Interventions Sensory stimulation ∙ auditory ∙ visual ∙ tactile Singing Instrumental and vocal improvisation Structured instrumental and vocal performance Movement to music Composing Music analysis Active music listening Listening For relaxation To help decrease agitation and wandering Aid transitions

Interventions Live music Music from young adult years and folk songs from childhood Interventions

What Can Music Therapy Provide? Memory recall Reality Orientation Sustained Attention Communication Decreased agitation and frustration Reduction of Anxiety and Stress Positive emotional and mood states Improved self-esteem Gained sense of Control Gross and fine motor movement Social interaction What Can Music Therapy Provide?

Music is processed in multiple areas of the brain simultaneously. Can increase memory recall and mental alertness Can stimulate responses and interaction with music in individuals in late stage dementia Can reduce depression of older adults Shown to promote the release of endorphins Shown to stimulates the production of serotonin and immunoglobulin and decrease cortisol Research