Music Therapy At Home
Music Therapy is an established clinical intervention delivered by HCPC registered music therapists.
Mindsong’s team of therapists is highly experienced and specialise in dementia.
Music Therapy At Home
Music therapy uses a highly personalised approach; our therapists carefully tailor each session to meet the needs of our clients, working to support emotional wellbeing, as well as enabling communication and strengthening a sense of identity.
We use a combination of familiar songs and improvisation to enable a creative, shared engagement in the music.
For a person with later stages of dementia, this may mean that the therapist sensitively creates music to reflect the person’s breathing rate, movements or vocal sounds.
Through the music, connections can be made, and a unique musical conversation takes place.
What are the benefits?
We evaluate our work carefully, and results show that music therapy encourages self-expression and interaction, and can bring significant improvements in wellbeing, mood, and communication. These benefits can in turn lead to a reduction in agitation, restlessness and anxiety for the person with dementia. Sharing music together also alleviates feelings of loneliness and can reduce social isolation.
Some of our work is with individuals who are living on their own, but when the therapy sessions also involve caregivers we have found that music therapy can strengthen relationships and bring much needed support and stress-relief to the relatives or friends who are providing care.
The main benefits of music therapy are to wellbeing, communication and relationships; reducing social isolation and increasing support for caregivers. Often, benefits spread to wider family and friends, meaning improved communication, strengthened relationships and more effective support. Visiting a family member or friend who is living with dementia can be difficult, but many find that singing is an accessible, enjoyable way of reconnecting without words, and can help to make visits more manageable.
Throughout the course of music therapy, our therapists are able to signpost people to relevant services and help caregivers reconnect with their communities.
Who is this service for?
For people in Gloucestershire living with complex and later-stage dementia, including young-onset dementia, who are being cared for at home. This service is also for the person who is the carer, whether you are a spouse, relative, partner or paid carer.
Our therapists are dementia specialists, and are experienced at dealing with challenging situations. They will be with you for an hour, once a week, for 12 weeks.
The therapy sessions include talking, singing and playing instruments together, as well as time for the therapist to listen and provide support to the person who is providing care. No musical skills, knowledge or experience are required!
Costs
This service is supported by Gloucestershire NHS clinical commissioning group, other funders and donations. Thanks to them we are able to offer 12 sessions free of charge.
Referrals
We take referrals from a range of healthcare professionals. You can also self-refer if that is easier. See the top of the page for referral forms.
If you have any questions contact Dr Maggie Grady: maggie.grady@mindsong.org.uk
I will begin with my own experience because I had not expected the sessions to be so beneficial for ME as transpired! How could they not be really as when [name] is showing glimpses of his inner self is when my own heart sings!