Clackmannan Community Hospital -

Research question: 

“What are the quantifiable effects and advantages of therapeutic live music performance on the welfare of those in care?”


Venue:
Contact:       Charge Nurse
Date:             Wed 17 December
Time:            2.00 pm
Venue:
Clackmannan Community Hospital
Hallpark Road
Sauchie
FK10 3JQ
Ward 2 – Christmas party

About the concert: Ward 2 at the Clackmannan Community Hospital, The clients were general 60+ and was a mixed ward full of Dementia patients. Very quiet when I went in and I was suspicious that the reaction may be like one of the other concerts where it was advanced dementia. I had did a good bit of reading by now on ideas to bring the patients out there shell

Verbal content and clarity: I felt it was important to fully introduce myself and give a clear explanation of who I was, what I was going to be doing and what to expect over the next hour and a bit. To which I was surprised to get a round of applause. Yet another time I have been caught out by judging a book by the cover!

Vocalization of residents: Very vocal residents, very full of life once the music started and made it clear they were pleased to have me with them. The vocalisation of the clients was encouraged by the staff who were excellent. The staff made a visual and physical effort to get involved by wearing santa hats and asking residents if they wanted to dance.

Eye Contact: I read in my music and dementia book that eye contact is really important followed by friendly smiles while singing to people with dementia and so I experimented with this and the technique really helped. There were lots of moments shared when I was singing

Facial Expressions: There were good facial expressions, lots of smile and I felt the group really liked the stories wit the songs, which helped them, understand and connect with the music more.

Body Posture: Very positive body posture with people sitting up and fully awake, lots of interaction with a box of musical instruments that the staff brought out. This showed me that music must be a big part of the treatment program, which was later confirmed wit the staff nurse after the concert, however they were so loud that it drowned me out at one point which was funny.

Movement: Lots and lots of dancing which made it difficult to get up and move myself but it was good to see everyone enjoying themselves, there was one point in the song crazy little thing called love where everyone was singing and dancing so much that I felt I had to calm it down with a slower song incase there were accidents.

On-going evaluation: This was a very successful concert. Great interaction and was topped off by the charge nurse stating it was a pleasure to see some of the patient who don’t normaly inteact getting involved. I thought to myself this is a real success. Imagine what you could do if you had more time wit the patients and got to know their needs and favourite songs and you could take them on a trip down memory lane and make them even happier…

Iv learned lots fro today,

1/ always spend a little extra time introducing yourself and stating your purpose

2/ notice response and reaction and let them know with a smile and soing to them for a few seconds and watch for the smile back.

I still think there is room for more old classics as some songs really work and some don’t..