The Five Essentials You Need To Prepare For Music Therapy Sessions In Your Loved One's Home

12 May 2016

Jaime Allen

You've heard of the benefits of music therapy, and you want it included as part of your loved one's home health care routine. However, you're not sure if your loved one's house is set up for that type of therapy. Luckily, there isn't much equipment you need to get started. Besides a music therapist, here's what you need to help your loved one get started:

1. List of songs and music genres

When a music therapist comes to your loved one's home, he or she guides your loved one through a number of musical exercises. Depending on your loved one's unique needs, the therapy may include moving to music, listening to it, discussing it or even writing songs. To make the therapy as effective and enjoyable as possible, music therapists often start with the songs your loved one enjoys.

To help, create a list of songs and music genres that your loved one likes, and give the list to the music therapist before he or she comes to your loved one's home. You may also want to note your loved one's previous experience playing music to give the therapist an idea of what may be possible in the sessions. For example, elders who once played an instrument may be able to pick it up again, or they may enjoy recordings that focus on that instrument.

2. Easy-to-play instruments

Improvising and making music is often a big part of music therapy, and so that your loved one can join in, you should consider investing in a few easy-to-play instruments. Hand drums, bells, tambourines and similar instruments are ideal. Alternatively, talk with the music therapist about which sorts of instruments should be in your loved one's home.

3. Song sheets or karaoke machine

In addition to playing music, your loved one may also sing. Song sheets or a karaoke machine can make this easier. Talk with the music therapist about whether or not you should provide these elements.

4. iPod or other music player

In some cases, the music therapist may "assign" your loved one some music to listen to in between therapy sessions. This allows your loved one to benefit from the effects of music therapy even when the therapist is not around. To make that possible, invest in a music player.

You can use a record, tape or CD player, but you may want to opt for a digital music player like an ipod instead. That way, the musical therapist can share and download songs with your loved one easily.

5. Space to dance (or sit) and a calm environment

Finally, you want to make sure that your loved one's home provides the right environment for music therapy. It should be relatively quiet and tidy. There should also be comfortable places for the music therapist and your loved one to sit and, if possible, space to move around for dancing. If your loved one is bedridden, you may want to invest in a hospital bed so that he or she can sit up during the music therapy sessions. 

To learn or read more about music therapy in the home, contact a home health care agency. These professionals offer a range of health care services in the home, from physical therapy, to music therapy, to help with bathing and cooking, and much more.

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