A Chorus for Caregivers: The Impact of an Intergenerational Choir on Family Caregivers for Persons with Dementia
Date
2019-04-26
Authors
Walters, Andraya
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Abstract
Intro: There are 50 million people in the world living with dementia1, including 402, 000 Canadians9. Dementia is a range of neurodegenerative diseases affecting cognitive functions such as memory, communication and mood regulation1. Extra supports are often needed for persons with dementia (PwD) to help with activities of daily living and to maintain safety, and in most cases (85%), they rely on a family member (usually a spouse or adult child) or a friend for caregiving support10. With an aging population in Canada, family caregivers are growing in importance, and supports are needed to prevent caregiver burnout. caregivers may benefit from participation in a choir by meeting other caregivers in a similar context and receiving respite, while engaging in a joyful activity with their family member (3, 8). However, there is minimal research in studying the impact of music-based interventions on caregivers.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of participation in an intergenerational choir on burden, depression and quality of life among family caregivers for PwD.
Design: In this mixed-methods, longitudinal study, 14 dyads (PWD and their caregivers) participated for 12 weeks in the Voices in Motion choir, which included PWD, their caregivers and high-school students. Caregivers completed pre- and post surveys, monthly neuropsychological assessments and an in-home interview at the end of the season. The Zarit Burden Interview 12-item4 was used to measure caregiver distress, and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item6 to measure depressive symptoms.
Findings: Findings included a decrease in both caregiver distress and depressive symptoms. Quotes from caregivers exhibited 3 themes: positive mood, social connections and quality time.
Conclusion: Initial findings from this study may establish choral interventions as a possible strategy for caregivers of PWD to prevent or lessen burnout and improve quality of life. However, more research is needed with greater sample sizes on the impact of a community choir.
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Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Intergenerational choir, choir, music, community, nursing, quality of life, mixed-methods, qualitative, caregiver, burn-out, burden, Voices in Motion