COVID SAFE music therapy and improving mental health for isolated seniors through music!

As the world comes to terms with the devastating consequences of Coronavirus and it's huge impacts on health as well as economic stability, we often forget about the basic human need to be "social" and interact with each other.

During the pandemic, many aged care facilities were rightfully quick to close their doors on family member visits, contractor visits. Residents were in an instant isolated from some of the every day activities they had grown accustom too before.

We have worked with many facilities in an attempt to maintain some form of normality for residents and their various music programs, but as always the health and safety of residents is of the utmost importance. How do we improve the mental health of these residents?

Some of the programs we have been running include digital music therapy by means of Zoom or Youtube. We take requests, read out birthdays and provide a tailored "Concert" specifically catering to the residents at each facility. They all get their names read on "TV" live stream and feel connected to something that is external to the facility. A way to feel connected to the world prior to COVID.

As myself and staff discussed initially back in March/April the best way to implement digital music therapy, it became apparent that the aged care sector by all accounts is not always technology ready. Many hurdles lay in the way of providing a service that the residents need for their mental well-being (particularly those dementia based residents that need consistency to music programs for comfort and reassurance). Some newer facilities were able to implement the program while some of the less up to date facilities were unable to setup a means to transmit the music program to residents with slow internet or unsuitable technology throughout the building. Some facilities went silent as they were overwhelmed by the prospect of doing anything but keep their residents isolated and away from each other in fears of an outbreak.

Other companies realized they were able to provide a "busking" service or "Balcony" sessions for their residents whereby therapists and entertainers come to the facility (but do not enter the building) to serenade the residents from outside. It works fantastic.... weather permitting. Some days its cold and not appropriate for a 94 year old to sit outside in 14 Degree temperatures. The challenges pile up.

I appreciate and applaud the companies that continue to give our program a go for the residents during this time and also acknowledge they are providing my business a platform to continue our program throughout the pandemic in various forms. It is highly beneficial and these facilities will reap the benefits of their extra work by providing and outlet for their residents to relax, have fun and feel socially connected to the activities they had in place at the start of 2020.

I look forward to coming out the other side of this journey with a renewed sense of perspective and hope that during these times i can make each resident slightly less anxious, restless and sad in the process.

Thanks again,

Andrew