How do family caregivers of people with advanced/complex dementia make sense of their experiences of engaging in Music Therapy alongside the person they care for?

Grady, Maggie

Abstract

This multimethod, qualitative study explored the lived experiences of family caregivers when they engaged in Music Therapy (MT) alongside the person with dementia they were caring for. Six dyads (person with advanced/complex dementia and their family caregiver) were recruited from the collaborating organisation, Mindsong. Each dyad participated in the MT intervention together and were interviewed before the intervention, at mid-point, and after the intervention. These interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Each caregiver also selected a section of music from their sixth MT session, which was analysed using Trondalen’s method of microanalysis. Following the synthesis of findings from both methods, a visual representation of the superordinate themes was created, exploring the relationship between the themes.

The overriding finding was that family caregivers made sense of their experiences of the MT intervention within the context of their relationship with the person they were caring for, which was steeped in their experiences of dementia. MT supported significant aspects of self that have been identified as protective factors against negative experiences of dementia, including a strengthened sense of self, increased self-esteem, feelings of social connectedness and an enhanced sense of meaning in life.

Crucially, the therapy provided opportunities for shared interaction and emotional connection which strengthened relationships within the dyads, and brought moments of joy and hope in the face of challenging dementia experiences. Successful skill-sharing between the therapists and caregivers meant that music was used as a tool beyond therapy, to ease difficult dementia experiences and further strengthen the relationship between the dyad. At the end of the cared-for participant’s life, music was also used to maintain an emotional connection and soothe the transition between life and death.

This multimethod study created rich, detailed findings that reinforce the call for sensitive, home-based dementia support that encompasses the needs of the family caregiver, as well as the person with dementia. The experiences recounted strengthen the voice of family caregivers of people with dementia in the research literature. Implications for further research and recommendations for MT practice are presented.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Mar 14, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 25, 2025
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13944600
• Award Date: Jun 25, 2025