Engage and Enjoy Those With Dementia Through Music Therapy
Music Therapy –
Engage and Enjoy Those With Dementia
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Today’s guest is Wendy Krueger, who has been a Board Certified Music Therapist for nearly seven years. She graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy in 2006, and currently works at developing new Music Therapy programs in Northeastern Massachusetts through her business, Up Beat Music Therapy.
Wendy directs a Music Therapy Internship program and supervises undergraduate students who are beginning placements in a Dementia-care setting. Out of the many facilities she contracts with, Wendy works most with (and finds her passion most from) clients suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.
Studies have found that music is an incredibly powerful tool in the treatment and prevention of dementia-related behaviors and alleviates symptoms of the disease in many ways. As the population of people with dementia grows, Wendy is fortunate enough to have found her niche working with individuals so in need, and so often forgotten about.
We had a wonderful conversation, received great tips on how to use music as magic with those struggling with Dementia and had some great interaction from our audience members. I hope you enjoy the show!
To learn more about Wend click on the banner below. From her website you can email her, follow her on facebook, twitter and linked.
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Based in New York City, Berko Music Therapy provides music therapy services for people with needs related to dementia, epilepsy, brain injury, autism, mental health, and well being. Wether you are looking for individual or group support, program development, supervision, workshops, talks, team building, or community experiences, Berko Music Therapy will gladly help you. The company’s name honors Ariel’s grandfather, an holocaust survivor who overcame enormous difficulties throughout his life. He used to carry a portable radio with him wherever he went. His favorite song was Gracias a la vida (“Thanks to life”).
Wendy Magee gained a BMus (Music Therapy) from University of Melbourne, Australia, and PhD (Music) from the University of Sheffield, UK. During her undergraduate degree, Dr Magee developed a passion for working in adult neurology, which lasts to this day. Following a Postgraduate Diploma at the Royal College of Music in London, (Harpsichord Performance) she commenced working in 1990 at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in London with adults with acquired and complex neuro-disabilities. With over 20 years experience working in neurology, she has developed extensive specialist clinical skills in this area and has pursued a range of research with adults with neurological conditions including traumatic brain injury, stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington’s Disease, low awareness states, and Locked-in Syndrome. Dr. Magee is widely published in peer-reviewed music therapy, interdisciplinary and rehabilitation journals with a number of research topics and has an extensive international teaching and conference portfolio. She has published 25 articles in refereed journals; 15 book chapters in edited volumes; and over 45 refereed conference presentations.
HI Delores
Thanks for letting us know about this information
Lori
Studies have found that music is an incredibly powerful tool in the treatment and prevention of dementia-related behaviors and alleviates symptoms of the disease in many ways. As the population of people with dementia grows, Wendy is fortunate enough to have found her niche working with individuals so in need, and so often forgotten about.
Thanks for writing Randy
Lori
Claudia Eliaza has training in providing music therapy for individuals and groups in a wide range of settings and ages, including: adult day treatment, children with special needs, elders with dementia, children with Autism, children/youth with life threatening illness and typical students in enrichment programs. She has worked in residential settings and specialized social service centers, daycare and afterschool programs. Claudia graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music with a Bachelors Degree in Music Therapy. She is also a jazz vocalist and performs in Boston and internationally. Check out her trio or her party band !
HI Beverly
Thanks for writing and sharing with our group
Lori
By 1980, Concetta Tomaino had joined Beth Abraham as the only music therapist (then part of the facilities department of recreation) and began to notice patients in the dementia unit responding positively and in some cases with remarkable speed, to music. She delved deeper into the neurological underpinnings as it became clear that music therapy had more to offer patients than a mere diversion from their everyday existence.
Thanks for your input Frances
Lori
While interning, Lisa contributed to editing and writing a published journal article in Music and Medicine on electronic music technology in pediatric care. Recently, she assisted in authoring a chapter in Innovations in Medical Music Therapy, a book that will be published in the following year. Her hope is the opportunity to contribute further to music therapy literature in the future.
Thanks for sharing Avery
Lori
Hello
Iam a C N A and would love to ask your sugg for complimenting my nursing degree coupled with my vocal abilities and love for music, a musical instrument to compliment my home care business? Have talked to owner of Harp Therapy, but instrument not conducive for transport? 🙂
Thank you!
Barbara
HI Barbara
Thank you for writing. I would like to connect you to a colleague of mine who passion is music. He would have a much better idea for you then I. To me I think of smaller items items the people can interact with when enjoying music. Rattles, drums… and even using background music on your phone or a small player if you sing. Most are not worried about quality. It’s all about the engagement and fun. Let me know if it would be ok to pass your name onto Michael.
Lori