Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

220 Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
patterns, which entrain slower breathing patterns and result in a calming
effect similar to techniques used in meditation and yoga. In general, music
can be used therapeutically to promote attention, physical activity, relaxation,
self-awareness, learning, communication, self-expression, creativity,
social interaction, and personal development.
There are both active and passive music therapy techniques that can
be used in disaster preparedness. Passive music listening such as using
prerecorded music via CD or MP3 player can provide a comforting environment,
mask environmental sounds, induce rest and sleep, reduce
perception of pain, stimulate imagery and reminiscence, facilitate conversation,
and provide spiritual comfort.
Active music making, facilitated by a credentialed music therapist, can
include vocal / breathing exercises, musically assisted exercises, musically
assisted meditation and relaxation, drumming, song writing, and improvisation.
In addition, active music making can enhance self-expression,
provide an emotional outlet in a protective environment, provide opportunities
to interact with others, decrease the perception of pain, increase
the duration of physical activity, decrease agitation, and decrease withdrawal.
How Can Caregivers / Care Providers
Use Music Therapeutically?
Care providers and caregivers should start to create music listening programs
for the older persons they care for before cognitive impairment
makes it impossible to determine the individual’s preferred music. If
the individual cannot be engaged in choosing the music, there are some
ways to determine what types of music may be most appropriate. First,
consider music that has been part of rituals and special occasions with
which the individual is most familiar. These include hymns; spirituals; holiday
songs; songs from special events, such as weddings, family gatherings,
and vacations; ethnic music, and so forth. Second, consider the genre
of music (pop, jazz, classical, opera, etc.) in which the individual had shown
a previous interest. Third, consider music for different purposes such as
music for relaxation, reminiscence, or increased physical exercise. Provide
lightweight headphones so the individual is immersed in the music. This
will consequently block out environmental sounds that may cause stress
or fear. Remember that sudden noises, particularly after an emergency
or disaster, will stimulate a fight-or-flight response that can exacerbate agitation
or withdrawal.