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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2001 Mar-Apr;16(2):103–108. doi: 10.1177/153331750101600209

Using music therapy to help a client with Alzheimer's disease adapt to long-term care

Paulette Kydd 1
PMCID: PMC10833995  PMID: 11302070

Abstract

The purpose of this case study is to illustrate how music therapy can be used to help the elderly successfully adjust to living in a long-term care (LTC) facility. LTC residents, particularly those with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia, may exhibit behaviors such as depression, withdrawal, anxiety, emotional liability, confusion, and memory difficulties, frequently related to the disorder, but often exacerbated by difficulty in adjustment to the change in lifestyle. The subject of this case study demonstrated these symptoms. Music therapy helped him adjust to life in a LTC setting by improving his quality of life and enhancing his relationships with those around him. As chronicled in this study, music therapy may facilitate a resident's adjustment to life in a LTC facility.

N.B. Names and identifying information have been changed to protect privacy.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, dementia patients, long-term care, music therapy

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Articles from American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias are provided here courtesy of SAGE Publications

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