Music in the Lives of Older People

This qualitative study examines the meaning of music in the lives of older people. It maps the diversity of the experience of music for older people and focuses on the emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual roles that music plays in their lives. In-depth and focus group interviews are used to explore the meaning, importance and function of music for 52 older people living in the community aged 60 years and older. The findings reveal that music provides people with ways of understanding and developing their self-identity, connecting with other people, maintaining well-being, experiencing and expressing spirituality, and enhancing cognitive and physical functioning. The results also show how music can contribute to quality of life and positive ageing. Participants revealed how music provides ways for them to have positive self-esteem, feel competent and independent, and avoid feelings of isolation and loneliness. The study highlights the need for health practitioners, community workers, and educators working in gerontology to be better informed of how music can facilitate and sustain older people's quality of life

Mentor Relationships: Their Construction and Meaning in the Training of Musicians

This qualitative study documents the importance of the mentor relationship in the training of musicians who wish to pursue a career in music. The thesis explores the diversity, similarities, construction and meaning of the mentoring relationship by interviewing 15 musicians who hold senior teaching positions in tertiary music faculties. The findings show that the relationship is significant for both the mentor and the protege and identifies key functions that relate to both the psycho-social and career development of the protege. The study highlights the need for music teachers to be more aware of the developmental importance of mentor relationships and for music faculties to develop programs that better facilitate such relationships

Grandparent Tales: Exploring the Intergenerational Transmission of Life Stories through Photographic Expressive Arts

The aims of this qualitative study are (1) to learn what grandparents most want their grandchildren to know about them; (2) to investigate how grandparents communicate family history and their own life stories to their grandchildren; (3) to explore the role and meaning of family photographs in the communication of grandparents' stories; and (4) to gather the experiences of grandparents within expressive arts workshops as they create and illustrate their own life story books to be shared with their grandchildren. Workshop participants will attend six weekly, two hour sessions in which they will be invited to tell, write and/or record their stories through narratives, photographs, voice recordings, art, poetry and other expressive techniques of their choosing. Data will be collected from approximately 30 participants through the use of open-ended interviews before, during and after they have attended the workshop series. The results of this investigation could serve as a guide for community agency counsellors, family therapists, parent educators, senior activity directors, gerontologists, social workers and support group facilitators who wish to incorporate expressive arts, phototherapy and/or storytelling techniques into their work with older adults and families. "Now that I am old and infirm I fear I shall no more be able to roam among the beautiful mountains...I can only paint my pictures and spread my colour over the cloud-topped mountain to transmit for future ages the hidden meaning which lies beyond all description in words." [c.A.D.400] (The Quote Cache 2006

The Psychosocial Aspects of Music in the Lives of Older People: An Australian Perspective

This study examines the personal meaning and importance of music in the lives of older people, paying particular attention to the ways music contributes to self-identity and quality of life. The data is derived from qualitative in-depth interviews with a purposeful sample of 56 older Australians aged 65 years and over living in rural and urban settings. The findings reveal that music provides people with ways of understanding and developing their self-identity, connecting with other people, maintaining well-being, experiencing and expressing spirituality, enhancing cognitive and physical functioning, and providing strong associations and memories with a person's life stages. Music also provides ways of knowing and identifying self that is critical to quality of life issues. The results reveal how music promotes quality of life by contributing to positive self-esteem, helping people feel competent and independent, and lessening feelings of isolation and loneliness. The data maps the emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual roles that music can play in older people's daily lives. The significance of this study is that it argues how music can be a symbol that older people can use to develop a better quality of life. The study highlights the need for health practitioners, community workers, and educators working in gerontology to be better informed of how music can facilitate and sustain older people's quality of life

Facilitating Well-Being Through Music for Older People with Special Needs

This study examines the importance of music in facilitating well-being for older people who have special needs and discusses how music can contribute to well-being and quality of life. The data derive from qualitative interviews with a sample of older Australians aged 60 years and above who live in rural and urban settings. The findings reveal music can provide many people with ways of feeling competent, feeling less isolated, connecting with other people, and helping in the maintenance of a greater sense of good health. Music facilitates meaning in people's lives and is associated with a person's emotions and life experiences and allows them to engage in imaginative play and escape. The results reveal how music promotes quality of life for individuals living alone and also those who have responsibility in caring for others

Enhancing quality of life through music for older people with special needs

Aims: This paper examines the importance of music in facilitating and enhancing well-being for older people. The paper highlights the function of music in the lives of many older people, and especially for those who have special needs or are unable to communicate through words. Methods: The data derive from qualitative interviews with a sample of older Australians aged 60 years and over who live in rural and urban settings. Findings: The findings reveal that music provides people with and connecting with other people. Music facilitates well-being in people's lives and is closely ways of feeling competent, feeling less isolated, associated with emotions and life experiences. Conclusion: The results reveal music can promote quality of life by contributing to positive self-esteem, enhancing well-being, and facilitating quality of life for others who need care

In-depth Interviewing: Principles, Techniques, Analysis

'In-depth interviewing' is now in its third edition. Like the previous editions, the book provides a detailed discussion of the use of in-depth interviewing as a research tool for collecting data to better understand people. The book is written for both an undergraduate and postgraduate social sciences and health sciences audience, with the authors spanning the disciplines of sociology, education, gerontology, public health and music. It provides students, researchers and practitioners with a thorough exposition of the value of using in-depth interviewing in qualitative research. Examples of research are used across the disciples to show its wide applicability. Like the previous editions, the book goes beyond simply providing a description of collecting data by this method. It shows the reader the relationship between theory and research; the complex human side of the fieldwork process; the logic of doing in-depth interviewing: and the repertoire of field strategies on might develop in order to cope with the social and political context of qualitative research

The Contribution of Music to Positive Aging: A Review

Many people value music as an important part of their everyday lives. The published literature reveals that the role of music in life is varied: it can be recreational, educational, social, emotional, therapeutic, and spiritual. The importance and relevance of music depends on the life needs and interests of the individual and the social group within which he/she lives. It is now widely recognized that music for many older people is crucial in supporting a sense of well-being. The article reviews the evidence on the role of music in promoting health and well-being, and how it can produce positive psychological and physiological benefits for individuals. The aim of this article is to increase awareness among health professionals of the importance of music and discuss how it can be used to add to older people's lives