The transfer of expertise in conducting a participatory music therapy during a combined rehabilitation-recreational program in an elderly care facility

Abstract

Not so long ago, in Japan, much emphasis were given to elderly’s basic life’s needs like eating, sleeping, excretion and bathing, however support for other problems of aging like mental and emotional health, muscle tone weakness, and life satisfaction are much left out. Just until recently, new concepts like QOL (Quality of Life) were seriously considered. This signaled the start of not just focusing on giving support on the material needs but also giving equal importance on issues pertaining to mental and emotional health, as well as life satisfaction of the residents in the elderly care facility. Recreation for improvement of mind and body functions of residents, as well as improvement of daily quality of life are now being carried out. Jurisprudence, administrative measures on recreational activities were also created. It has since been a standard for the elderly welfare care facilities of to provide recreational events appropriate to the number of residents. Different kinds of rehabilitation and recreational activities were introduced, one of them is Music Therapy. Activation of the brain, strengthening of the muscles for swallowing, and emotional and mental stability are just few of the most common beneficial effects of the said therapy. In this study, the setting for the music therapy is a paid elderly care facility.