West Coast Music Therapy

I work in facilities where adults have prefrontal and frontal temporal deterioration diseases. The symptoms cause severe behavioural changes (inhibitions, social inappropriateness, yelling, aggressions, catatonia) also known as BPSD (behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia). The condition is not like Alzheimer’s dementia we might see in long term complex care. There is a constant unpredictability in a person’s behaviour. Now, in terms of Music Therapy, I spend an entire day between two units playing music – Live guitar music, soft music, aimed at reducing anxiety. I approach each person 1-1, play a song or two, watch for responses. Sometimes responses are positive and this may lead to a more engaged session, and also might draw a few people closer – those of whom may be wandering (pacing is a big part of the symptoms – both from the disease and the medications) and at this point, a small spontaneous group may form where I can use some directed interventions. What those interventions are can only be explained as In-The-Moment and ISO principle. I am onsite once per week, and by the next week, it might be a completely different environment. Oh, and also, this is not long term care. It is temporary and only for stabilization where the person will be treated enough to hopefully move into long term care on a locked ward. There is more and more information coming out about FTD (frontotemperal dementia). In working with this population, there are beautiful moments, and there are also very challenging and difficult moments. If I am not gently approaching someone for some 1-1 music time, the most constant thing that I do is make myself central in the unit and the music usually draws the people to me. From that point, it is very intuitive with this group of people we care for. There is little verbal interaction, and the live music seems to have very calming effects. I know this is a long post, but in the three years I have worked with this population, it has been very tricky to pin-point just what exactly are the best, tried and true interventions other than being exceptionally present in each individual moment.