Music Therapy... What is it?

The Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT) describes Music Therapy as "the skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health."

A music therapist is an accomplished musician, able to play several instruments, to sing and to improvise in a variety of styles. The professional training is a five year degree program and is a combination of theoretical and experiential training. Music therapists are skilled in observation of various treatment approaches, observation, assessment, implementation and evaluation. After successful completion of study, the music therapist becomes accredited by the Canadian Association of Music Therapy.

The therapeutic purpose of having a handchime choir in long term care is to provide a meaningful opportunity for residents to improve their quality of life, through taking part in the making of music. It is to compensate for the deficits caused by disease so that residents can successfully combine social and physical achievement in playing the handchimes.

Using Music and Handchimes in Long-Term Care Facilities

Every Thursday afternoon at New Vista Care Home, music drifts from the quiet of this long-term care facility. It sounds remarkably like angels ringing bells and if one walks into the home, there is an amazing sight. The scene is a group of frail, elderly people (many of whom have dementia related to Alzheimer's Disease) sitting in a semi-circle, holding long silver handchimes. They are all focused on the conductor who is cueing them to play. This is New Vista's resident handchime choir being lead by an innovative, accredited music therapist, Kristine Theurer. She smiles back at their quizzical grins, and lets them know they are doing a wonderful job. The chimes are ringing and music is in the air.

Alzheimer's Disease is described as a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the fourth leading cause of death and over half of all nursing home patients suffer from it. At present, there is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease and many of the dementias. There are wonderful new advances in drug treatment, especially for early stages, and much hope for the future. Many different people are challenging the myth that people with dementia are incapable of learning new things. New Vista's handchime choir demonstrates this in spades. Music comes through here when language has failed.

When the handchime choir practice is over, the home is a peaceful place. Others have heard the gentle music from the handchimes and it has stilled some of the restlessness and agitation that often comes in the late afternoon to this home. The power of the music has transcended the language barriers and confusion. The mutually supportive group experience and the challenges in the practice have brought everyone involved closer together and provided a bond. It lasts for a short time but is enough to bring meaning into this particular afternoon. In a quote from the Director of Care from New Vista: "The Handchime Choir" enhances the whole person concept: it builds an enhanced sense of pride, a sense of usefulness and value to themselves and their families."

© 2009-2010, Kristine Theurer  –  Site by