Reclaiming Dignity and Enhancing Abilities through Therapeutic Stimulation. AModel for Music Therapy and Music Related Activities for Frail Elderly and Disabled Adults

摘要

In 1989, the Center was able to expand programming to include the implementationof a long-awaited music therapy program through the auspices of a cooperative grant between AoA and the 'Dementia Care and Respite Services Program', Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In 1993, a second grant was received from AoA which provided the opportunity to share the resulting national model of the use of music therapy in the care of frail elderly with thousands of music therapists and providers of aging services throughout the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Australia. The objectives were: (1) to document the benefits of music therapy as a successful in intervention in promoting health and an enhanced quality of life for frail older person. (2) to disseminate the model through state and national conference presentations/networking systems. (3) to provide enriched technical assistance to two sites for replication of the STADC music therapy model, and to present at state conferences in Georgia and North Carolina. (4) to serve as a national demonstration/training site for visiting music therapists, aging services providers and educators/students in related fields of study. (5) to prepare materials for dissemination which include two videos and a manual. (6) to prevent institutionalization through active participation of elderly in music therapy and music-related activities. (7) to develop training opportunities for university students which would provide information about needs/care of the elderly and the use of music therapy as an intervention all frail seniors and disabled adults.