Digital musical encounters for existential health
Short description
Through interviews at eleven residential care homes with older residents, relatives and staff who had experienced cultural activities in the form of live and pre-recorded concerts, we identified positive outcomes from taking part in musical experiences. These outcomes were seen among older residents, their relatives and care staff. Participants described increased physical and emotional well-being. The music evoked feelings and created a sense of vitality. Participants also became physically activated while listening, suggesting that music may help promote physical activity among both care recipients and staff. Physical activity is important for maintaining health and quality of life. With music as a source of enjoyment, older people may find motivation for spontaneous movement.
It is therefore clear that enabling cultural encounters, both live and digital, is a meaningful care intervention in residential care homes for older people. The results are presented in the scientific article “Exploring the use of music as an intervention for older people living in nursing homes”, published in the international journal Nursing Older People (Wijk H, Neziraj M, Nilsson Å, Jakobsson Ung E., University of Gothenburg, 2021). One implication is that health and care education should include knowledge about how culture can be used in everyday work in health and social care.
The study is conducted at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences at the University of Gothenburg, in collaboration with the Betania Foundation, Musik i Syd and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, with support from the Kamprad Family Foundation.
Purpose
The aim of the study was to investigate the significance of live cultural encounters with music in residential care homes for older people. The study explored the meanings of live musical encounters in relation to existential questions concerning meaning in life, loneliness, thoughts about death and dying, and their significance for perceived health, quality of life and well-being among older residents, their relatives and care staff.
Theory
Older people living in residential care homes often have limited opportunities to take part in cultural experiences and may experience isolation from society. Access to culture is, however, a human right and a cultural policy objective in Sweden. Existential health is part of the concept of health and falls within the specialist nurse’s area of responsibility. It is also part of person-centred care, with a holistic perspective on older people, relatives and care staff.
Method
The study used a qualitative approach and was conducted through thematic analysis of 21 semi-structured interviews carried out at 11 residential care homes for older people where a music intervention had taken place. The informants were older people, their relatives and care staff.
Results
Three themes emerged from the results: awakens memories, emotions and fascination; enables community and interaction; and provides experiences of inner harmony and vitality.
The results show that live cultural encounters with music in residential care homes are of great significance for older people’s existential health, quality of life and well-being. The findings help identify what may support older people in maintaining and strengthening existential health. They may also assist cultural institutions in adapting production formats to improve access to live cultural experiences with music.
The study is now continuing with investigations into the experiences of patients in palliative home care who take part in the Metropolitan Opera’s digital music offering at home, in relation to existential health. This part of the study is conducted in collaboration with the Betania Foundation.