Evaluating Senior Care Music Programs: (From December 2022 issue of NAAP) newsletter.

Musical Culture

• Tell me about your musical culture, environment, or musical life at your care setting?

• What would my loved one be able to experience on a daily basis?

• How do you personalize music for each individual?

• How does music make a difference to individual quality of life and the wider care community?

• To what degree do you embed music into care plans?

Care Culture

• How do you support your staff to ensure that your musical culture isn’t just the responsibility of one or a couple of staff?

• Is music integrated into your care delivery, with all staff buying into your music culture because they believe it is a vital part of care?

• When music is used intentionally as a care resource, research shows there can be improved well-being outcomes for residents, families, and caregivers. Are your care staff trained to intentionally use music to support well-being?

Family Involvement

• How will you involve me in my relative’s musical experiences?

• How do you assess music’s impact on my loved one’s daily quality of life?

• How will I know, when I visit, that it’s a core part of their care?

• How is music accessed in their rooms? Dining room? Common rooms?

Certification and Training

• Is your care home certified in any national or regional music delivery programs?

• Do caregivers receive training from music therapists?

A Few More Items to Consider

One musical program does not fit all. You may wish to select a residence that offers a wide range of music-based services to meet varying and changing needs and preferences, as your loved one ages. A residence that offers both group and individual music-based services is your best option.

• How often are professional music practitioners engaged with residents?

• Does the care home offer music and movement activities, choirs, drumming groups, access to instruments for those who love to play a guitar or piano?

• How does your care team learn about and support personalized music preferences?

• Is there access to a music therapist?

By Dan Cohen of Music & Memory