An evaluation of the current state of music therapy at welfare facilities for the elderly and changes of their life after music therapy was conducted

Abstract

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare estimates the number of elderly people in Japan to cross 8million including people with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment). In these circumstances, music therapy and music for rehabilitation have been attracting attention and there are hopes that they will have beneficial effects in welfare facilities for the elderly and in the medical field. In this study the authors investigated how music therapy was conducted in a closed-access room or in an open-access space at 5 welfare facilities for the elderly in Kinki district, observed how they reacted to the music therapy about voice and rhythm and gave them three different marks. The authors also researched changes of the clients’ lives after the music therapy by conducting a questionnaire survey among the staff, analyzed the data and classified by sex, age and level of nursing care. The data show that clients who obtained better marks were men than women, in the third stage of nursing care and in their 90’'s while the survey by the staff showed the clients in their 60'’s and 70'’s obtained better marks. In addition, the mark in close - access space is better than in an open - access room. The average mark was higher at the facilities with music therapy instructors.