A Multimodal Music Therapy Intervention for Engaging Persons With Severe Dementia

Inclusion Criteria13

• years or older
• late-onset dementia diagnosis from a physician
• stable at facility long enough to establish residency and routine at the facility (about 2 months prior to start of study)
• English is primary language (for pilot study practicality and ensure straightforward evaluation of our aims)
• Dementia is severe: As in the feasibility study, residents' charted score on the Brief Inventory of Mental Status (BIMS) < 7 will be used and no independent function in community affairs, hobbies, chores, or personal care. The BIMS is a component of the Minimum Data Set (MDS), a federally mandated clinical assessment for all residents in US Medicare and Medicaid certified care facilities. It is completed periodically and interpreted by a licensed health care professional employed by the facility who has completed requisite training on the assessment.
• Any facility in Kentucky that provides residential care for persons with severe dementia (up to 8 facilities).
• At least 5 residents must enroll to make the best use of our resources.
• At least 1 facility staff member available to help with recruitment and periodic observable data collection
• Can accommodate consistent session days and times between lunch and dinner, 2 times per week for 40 minutes, for 12 weeks.
• Willing to communicate questions, concerns, and changes in safety protocols to the research team.
• Can provide a space appropriate for a small group activity (3-5 residents plus a group leader).
• Can ensure staff support is available for safely transitioning participants to/from sessions at the agreed upon session days and time.
• Can assert that music therapy from a credentialed music therapist (MT-BC) is not offered by the facility, to prevent "double dosing" (music entertainment is ok).