Making Connections Thru Music

Launched by HOPEFUL AGING · Oct 6, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Making Connections Thru Music" trial is exploring a new way to help people living with dementia, including Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, by using music and discussions led by trained volunteers. Due to a shortage of caregivers in long-term care facilities, many residents aren’t receiving the personalized support they need. This study aims to train retired volunteers to use music as a tool to engage with those with dementia, which could improve their quality of life and reduce challenging behaviors like anxiety and agitation.

To participate, volunteers need to be at least 55 years old and speak English, while staff participants must be 18 or older and work in a residential care facility involved in the study. Residents with dementia must be over 65, diagnosed with dementia, and able to communicate in English. Participants can expect to take part in an online training course that prepares volunteers to lead music sessions effectively, which will be supported by a special app designed for this program. This initiative not only helps improve the lives of those with dementia but also addresses the caregiver shortage by involving community members in care.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Volunteers must be aged 55+ and speak/read conversational English.
• • Staff participants must be at least 18 years old, work within a residential care facility participating in the study, and speak and read English.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Volunteers will be excluded if they are diagnosed with dementia based on self-report and/or if they score 23 or lower on theMini Mental State Exam (MMSE; Folstein et al., 1975). Such a score would be indicative of possible cognitive impairment.
• • Staff members will be excluded if they work third shift only. PWD Residents with dementia must be diagnosed with dementia (any type), score 10 or above on the MMSE, be aged 65+, and speak/read conversational English.
• • PWD will be excluded if they show signs of rapid physical or cognitive decline (based upon staff report or as evidenced by information gained during screening).