The general functional condition of the elderly is often very poor due to advanced diseases and conditions. That is why institutionalization is necessary, most often in a nursing home for the elderly. Helping with the music art, as a non-invasive approach to work with the elderly with a poor functional status, can contribute to improving their well-being and raise the level of the quality of life.
In the research, we ask how and to what extent the implementation of the music therapy, organized according to models, methods and work techniques, which relate to the concepts and theoretical background of music therapy, affects the improvement of the psychophysical condition of the elderly with a poor functional status; which approach, technique and method of the music therapy are more appropriate when working with the mentioned group of users, and what the response of the healthcare and social care staff is.
In the research, we included eighteen chosen elderly people with a poor functional status of an average age of 79.9 years, who were divided into three observation groups. In order to ensure the triangulation of sources, ten employees from the institution where the research took place were included in the thesis. By systematically studying the aforementioned situation over a longer period of time, we conducted an action research based on a qualitative study approach. Diary entries, an observation scheme, video recordings and photographs, as well as a structured interview were used to collect data.
The research confirmed that the music therapy, organized according to the principles of the therapy with music art, regardless of the selected model, the method or the intervention technique, is more than a welcome and effective additional activity for improving the quality of leisure time of elderly people with a poor functional status, and has a positive effect on their general psychophysical well-being.
|