Alternative Ways to Communicate (week 14)

music

•Predictable elements of rhythm, melody, words, lyrics

•Evokes feelings and memories

what is music therapy

•“…clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.”

•Music therapists provide treatment that includes creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music

•Evidence-based health profession with a strong research foundation.

What do music therapists do?

•design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music

What is the benefit of music therapy?

Research shows that music therapy is effective in many areas such as:

•increases relaxation

•increases readiness for and timing of motor activity

•increases attention and motivation

•provides an outlet for expression of feelings

•enhances communication

What are the goals of music therapy?

•Help progress developmental tasks

•Assist in rehabilitation of physical and cognitive functioning

•Assist in adaptation and coping

•Pain management

•Assist in the recovery from trauma

•Improve quality of life

What type of patients would benefit?

•mental health needs

•developmental and learning disabilities

•Parkinson’s patients

•Alzheimer's disease and other aging related conditions

•substance abuse problems

•brain injuries

•physical disabilities

•acute and chronic pain

•mothers in labor

qualifications

•Bachelor’s degree or higher in music therapy

•Have a MT-BC credential, issued through the Certification Board for Music Therapists

•Some states require licensure for board-certified music therapists

•Require knowledge in psychology, medicine, and music

Where do music therapists work?

•psychiatric hospitals

•rehabilitative facilities

•medical hospitals

•outpatient clinics

•day care treatment centers

•agencies serving persons with developmental disabilities

•community mental health centers

••drug and alcohol programs

•senior centers,

•nursing homes

•hospice programs

•correctional facilities

•halfway houses

•schools

•private practice

How is music therapy utilized in hospitals?

•To alleviate pain

•Elevate patients' mood and counteract depression

•Promote movement

•Promote relaxation

•Counteract apprehension or fear

•Ease muscle tension

How is music therapy utilized in nursing homes?

•To increase or maintain their level of physical, mental, and social/emotional functioning.

•The sensory and intellectual stimulation of music can help maintain a person's quality of life.

Music therapy for people with dementia

•Music helps people w/dementia because it activates different parts of the brain and helps them by relating music to emotions and experiences

•SingFit - a free music app for seniors with dementia; comes w/12 free songs; $4.99/month subscription for unlimited access to the song library; only available on iPhone and iPads; you can adjust the volume of spoken lyric reminders and accompanying vocals as needed

How is music therapy utilized in schools?

•to strengthen nonmusical areas such as communication skills and physical coordination skills

How is music therapy utilized in psychiatric facilities?

•to explore personal feelings

•make positive changes in mood and emotional states

•have a sense of control over life

•practice problem solving

•resolve conflicts

Is music therapy a reimbursable service?

Medicare: Must have the following to qualify:

The music therapy must be considered an active treatment by meeting the following criteria:

•Be prescribed by a physician

•Be reasonable and necessary for the treatment of the individual’s illness or injury

•Be goal directed and based on a documented treatment plan

•The goal of treatment must exhibit some level of improvement

Medicaid:

Texas

•Music therapy is listed as a health service under several in Home and Family Support Program Waivers

Private insurance:

•reimbursable when services are pre-approved and deemed medically or behaviorally necessary to reach the individual patient's treatment goals

•companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Cigna, and Aetna have all paid for music therapy services at times

pet therapy

•Animal-assisted therapy is a growing field that uses dogs or other animals to help people recover from or better cope with health problems, such as heart disease, cancer and mental health disorders.

•Animal-assisted activities have a more general purpose, such as providing comfort and enjoyment for nursing home residents

What are the benefits of pet therapy?

Physically:

•Decreases BP

•Improves cardiovascular health

•Releases endorphins that have a calming effect

•Diminishes overall physical pain

•The act of petting produces an automatic relaxation response, reducing the amount of medication some patients need

Mentally:

•lifts spirits and lessens depression

•decreases feelings of isolation and alienation

•encourages communication

•provides comfort

•increases socialization

••reduces boredom

•lowers anxiety

•helps children overcome speech and emotional disorders

•creates motivation for the client to recover faster

•reduces loneliness

What are the physical therapy goals of pet therapy?

•increase joint movement

•increase motor skills and strength (fine and gross motor)

•provides motivation to participate

•Increase flexibility

•Improve balance

•Increase endurance

•Decrease pain

Who can benefit from animal-assisted therapy?

•Children having dental procedures

•People receiving cancer treatment

•People in long-term care facilities

•People hospitalized with chronic heart failure

•Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder

•Pet therapy is also being used in nonmedical settings to help people deal with anxiety and stress

Are there any health risks with pet therapy ?

•The biggest concern, especially in hospitals, is safety and sanitation.

•Most hospitals and other facilities that use pet therapy have stringent rules to ensure that the animals are clean, vaccinated, well-trained and screened for appropriate behavior

therapet

•Therapet’s mission is to utilize specially trained and certified animals to promote health, hope and healing.

the EDUCATIONAL GOAL IS TO:

•Establish & communicate standards of practice for using specially trained animals in healthcare and educational settings.

•Provide education to healthcare, educators, facility leaders and volunteers.

•Educate communities on opportunities and benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy.

•Train, certify and assure competency of human/animal volunteer teams.