Music interventions and its importance to the lives of elderly persons

The aim of the thesis: is to explore the benefits of music interventions by caregiver in elderly care. One research question was created to fulfill the aim by conducting a literature review: What are the effects of music interventions by caregiver for elderly persons in elderly care? The theoretical frame work used was Eriksson’s lifecycle theory, which reflects the hope and wisdom as practical and sensible human strengths. Music intervention that could be singing playing instruments, listening to live music or having background music can cher-ish hope and sensible human strengths in elderly who are dependent on the caregiver. Fourteen scientific articles were collected though the search engines EBSCO, and Scien-tific direct and Google Scholar, and analyzed using content analysis. The results of using music interventions such as listening to music and singing, helped care givers to overcome difficult caring situations. It improves the mutuality of communi-cation between caregivers and elderly persons and also reduces difficult situations where challenging behaviors occur. Conclusion: Music should be used in everyday situations of elderly care and the caregivers should be aware of the barriers of not using music such as hearing loss problems, un met needs by elderly persons with functional disabilities, medications prescribed for elderly persons. Music interventions could change the elderly person’s mood as to a change for more positive emotions as well as bringing remote memories to the client. Music leisure activities can have cognitive and social benefits in functional disabilities care. The study want to encourage the nursing staff that singing is simple and that you have your own voice with you, everywhere you go, so music should be used at any time when needed for caregivers and professionals working with elderly persons in everyday care