MGordon_MD
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Oct 20, 2006, 9:24 AM
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Music, Pets and Books: Meeting The Emotional Needs of the Aged
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By Dr. MICHAEL GORDON
It is a common practice to focus primarily on the health care needs of elderly individuals, especially those that require long-term care. Family members often express concerns over medical and nursing care, but commonly overlook other important experiences and activities that can have a positive influence on the well being of frail and vulnerable older persons. Whether living at home, a retirement home, assisted living centre or a long-term care facility the emotional nourishment of elderly individuals must be high on the list of priorities for family members and for the staff in whose care the individuals are entrusted.
The issue is what is it that gives meaning to life, beyond being alive and not being in a state of physical or mental suffering. For many older individuals suffering from mental and physical disabilities, their emotional needs which nurture the “soul” are- often un-recognized or forgotten.
Sometimes it is erroneously assumed that when one is ill the total focus should be on ones medical needs. But it is often the non-medical aspects of life that deserve more attention as addressing one’s medical care needs may not be sufficient to give life the sustenance that most of us crave in order for it to be worth living. That is not to diminish the importance of one’s good health and function, but as a goal it is often not enough.
Some years ago while cycling in Toronto, I heard a request for one of Chopin’s many beguiling piano nocturnes. The caller requested it because she said it brought back wonderful memories of her childhood piano lessons.
As I listened the comments resonated with me because my late mother used to play the same piece, even when she had forgotten most of the rest of her piano repertoire. As I cycled I remembered her playing in our small apartment’s living room, which contained the Sohmer baby grand piano that virtually filled the room. My maternal grandmother bought the piano which many years later was the same instrument that I played while struggling through my own piano lessons.
The emotional associations that music evokes are wonderful and often provide profound meaning to people, including the frailest and most elderly. I have observed music programs at the long-term care facility at which I work transform the audience from passively sitting in their chairs to a group of engaged seniors who are humming, foot and finger tapping, and moving their heads to the music. For some, the music clearly hits a chord with their past as they sing sometimes with tears rolling down their cheeks, sometimes with smiles on their faces.
Each of us has one or two musical pieces that resonate with a part of our life, which is never forgotten. For me it is Rachmaninoff’s second piano concerto which is the very first set of 45 rpm records that my family owned and which my father arranged to be played on a 45 rpm changer that plugged into an old radio – I listened to that 5 record piece hundreds of time during my childhood and it has been imprinted on my memory in an indelible and enriching fashion- it clearly for me is music to my soul.
Music is just one way to nurture the soul of individuals in their later years. I have seen comparable responses in residents in long-term care when they come into contact with pets, which either live on site or are brought in regularly through the pet-visiting program. Although not everyone likes animals, most people will respond to a cat or a dog that shows affection and devotion.
My first experience with pet visiting in a long-term care facility was in a nursing home in Northern Ontario where I was a visiting speaker. After my seminar I toured this very lovely facility and noted that there was a cat on the nursing station desk. I was told that the cat had “adopted” the facility two years before would make rounds with the linen cart. When she entered a room whose occupant was responsive, the cat would purr and rub against the person who returned the affection. Some residents considered it one of the highlights of their day.
Some years later I was a medical speaking guest in Sydney Australia and while visiting a nursing home I saw almost the same dynamic between the home’s adopted feline and the residents of unit on which it resided.
Many older people lose their ability to read in their later years because of medical problems affecting their eyes. They often suffer from the loss of entertainment and enlightenment that comes from books. Although there are audio or “talking” books, I have found that many people and their families have been reluctant to try them. The satisfaction that is usually derived from this medium is very wonderful to observe.
For families who are responsible for older parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, I suggest that they try and determine what it is that might bring pleasure and joy to the person for whom they care. Of course, health care issues are crucial and must be addressed but it is no less important to find ways to nurture the emotional soul of the person through such things as music, pets and literature. There are many ways to provide these important elements of life to those we love. The first thing we must do is recognize the need and then determine the preferences and receptivity to the particular activity.
Finally we must explore ways to bring it into being. Even the frailest and most impaired older person has some place in their heart and soul, which will respond to joyful memories, unbridled affection and mental stimulation. For those who love and care for these people who might benefit from access to such enriching experiences, we must do our utmost to meet their needs.
Dr. Michael Gordon, is vice-president of medical services at Baycrest in Toronto, Canada, and co-author with Bart Mindszenthy of Parenting Your Parents.
Parenting Your Parents is available in bookstores and online at: Indigo-Chapters, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
For bulk orders email info@dundurn.com. Call: 416-214-5544 or Fax: 416-214-5556
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(This post was edited by MGordon_MD on Sep 24, 2007, 1:34 PM)
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