Benefits, Challenges and Solutions for Implementing Personalised Music Playlist Programs in Residential Aged Care in Australia

Abstract

Introduction: Residential aged care facilities face the immense challenge of adapting to the increasingly high needs of their residents, while delivering personalised, holistic care. There is considerable evidence that music can provide an affordable, accessible way to reduce changes in behaviour associated with dementia, in order to meet these standards of care. However, a number of barriers exist to the effective implementation of music programs in long-term aged care facilities. Methods: This study involved focus groups with 17 participants including staff in residential aged care facilities and family caregivers to investigate the benefits of music programs, as well as the challenges and possible solutions to them. A general inductive approach was taken to data analysis. Results: A number of benefits of music programs were identified, including improvements to the wellbeing of both residents of aged care facilities and their caregivers. However, an ingrained culture within residential aged care of focusing on physical care rather than thinking holistically about wellbeing was identified as a significant barrier. Discussion: These findings revealed that education is a key component of changing ingrained cultures of task-driven care at both a managerial level and in care staff, so that attention can be given to psychological and emotional needs as well as the physical.

Developing online training in using music for carers of people with dementia: A focus group study

“…Participants believed that the training should help caregivers to see the benefits and limitations of music use and to understand practicalities such as music selection, the need to monitor and review, timing and equipment. This harmonises with previous research which has similarly identified the need to have protocols and processes in place to ensure the safety of individuals with dementia taking place in music programs 5,19,24 . Previous research has also found the use of role‐specific training to be helpful 25 .…”

“…This harmonises with previous research which has similarly identified the need to have protocols and processes in place to ensure the safety of individuals with dementia taking place in music programs. 5,19,24 Previous research has also found the use of role-specific training to be helpful. 25 Experiential learning such as through use of real-life scenarios is likewise increasingly recognised as one of the most effective forms for training in health and other contexts.…”

“…[3][4][5] Ingrained cultures of task-driven care, and a lack of understanding about the potential for music to be used strategically rather than just as entertainment, can limit the uptake of music programs in such settings. 6 Staff training is important in relation to ensuring a high quality of care in many health contexts. 7,8 However, the same time pressures that make implementation of music programs challenging for care staff also make training problematic as well.…”

“…However, multiple studies have shown that a lack of staff training and education can be a significant barrier to the successful implementation of music programs in aged care when a trained music therapist is not involved 3‐5 . Ingrained cultures of task‐driven care, and a lack of understanding about the potential for music to be used strategically rather than just as entertainment, can limit the uptake of music programs in such settings 6 …”

Polyphonic perspectives: a focus group study of interprofessional staff’s perceptions of music therapy at an inpatient unit for children in mental health care

“…This approach allowed for an exploration of the various voices in the interviews, which is essential when analysing focus groups, and it facilitated the researchers to recognize and be aware of the unique dynamics, as for instance between the various professional groups, in the interviews (Charmaz & Belgrave, 2012 ). Constructivist grounded theory has previously been used in the analysis of focus groups, both as a basis for an inductive approach with a thematic analysis (Galle et al, 2020 ; Garrido et al, 2021 ) and as the main approach (Davidson et al, 2022 ; Johansen et al, 2011 ; Nygaard et al, 2020 ; Warran et al, 2019 ).…”