Access to Music Therapy for Older Adults in Isolation at Assisted Living Facilities Process:

COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund Grant Program

​

DISCOUNTED REMOTE MUSIC THERAPY SERVICES TO BE OFFERED TO 6 ASSISTED LIVING AND SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES

 

Recently, Music Therapy of the Ozarks was awarded a grant from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) to provide access to music therapy for older adults in isolation at assisted living facilities via teletherapy and technology. Music Therapy of the Ozarks has contracted with the Center for Music Therapy and Wellness to provide these services.  All services will be provided by a board-certified music therapist and music therapy interns under supervision. 

 

Because of the nature of the COVID-19 crisis, it has been difficult for our community to find ways to remain connected while maintaining distancing protocols. We believe this struggle has particularly affected isolated your residents, and the need has never been greater for our community to provide what we can to help these individuals. We want to provide the necessary materials and services to take some of the burden off of care staff during this time and provide isolated seniors with therapeutic music-based interaction.

These services will include a music therapist and the technology needed to engage in the music therapy process. The music therapist will remotely meet with individuals via iPad and assess their current psychosocial needs, create individualized playlists for residents for them to use independently on mp3 players with headphones, and create recorded, group music therapy sessions which can be used at any time by staff to address cognitive, social, motor, and behavioral goals with residents.

 

Each participating facility will receive 2 iPads, 20 pairs of on-ear headphones, and 5 iPods to use for the duration of teletherapy treatment.