Music-based caregiving: Systematic relational caregiving and well-being

Music-based caregiving is a resource-oriented method supporting communication, activity, and well-being among employees, inhabitants and relatives. It may also reduce (over)medication and sick leave.

The educational programme for music-based caregiving (musikkbasert miljøbehandling, https://musikkbasertmiljobehandling.no) teaches healthcare staff to systematically use measures with integrated singing, music, and movement as daily care routines and activities (Myskja & Håpnes, 2016; Myrenget et al., 2024). The programme has educated more than 6 800 participants throughout Norway since 2016. The tender program is anchored in governmental strategies to recruit and retain competent healthcare personnel and enhance the quality of care. It is also mentioned in the Public Health White Paper.
Both practice and research indicate that applying the method may enhance communication and cooperation, leading to better flow and less uneasiness during care routines, and more satisfied recipients, relatives, and staff (Batt-Rawden et al., 2023). The focus of politicians and researchers is often on the clinical properties of musical measures and the reduction of adverse symptoms and behaviours. This paper highlights the method’s relational, communicative, and well-being aspects for care recipients and staff alike. Music-based caregiving fits seamlessly into the person-centred care model and leans on research within individualised music (e.g., Gerdner, 2005) and music-therapeutic caregiving (e.g., Götell and Hammar with collaborators). Examples show that music-based caregiving measures may contribute to meaningful activity, familiarity, sensory stimulation and regulation for the care recipients. The measures can also facilitate better relations among a group of residents and between residents and caregivers, and enhance the sense of mastery for residents and care staff alike. As such, the method can also contribute to a better work environment and self-care for staff members. Healthcare staff learns music-supported ways of communicating, cooperating, and facilitating a safe and resource-oriented attitude and atmosphere, also moving beyond language. This may lead to fewer conflicts during care procedures and a higher frequency of shared meaningful activity and “golden” moments, which leads to a higher quality of life for both recipients and staff, and more satisfied relatives.
The methods of music-based caregiving fit perfectly into the campaign “ABC for good mental health”: Being active, doing something together, and doing something meaningful (Donovan et al., 2021; Jalleh et al., 2007). Meaningful music-based activities – one-to-one or in groups – are accessible beyond cognitive or other health issues and can support the mental health and well-being of care recipients, caregivers and relatives. Course participants from education and arts fields comment that the tools are also highly relevant to their work and may contribute to life management.