Upcoming Course: Music in Dementia Care: Overview of Best Practices

​SDAHO invites administrators, nurses, social workers, caregivers and others that directly work with individuals living with dementia to attend a 3-hour course on how music impacts dementia care.  This session will take place virtually on December 14, where Rachelle Morgan, board-certified music therapist will share tips on how to successfully integrate music into caregiving for people with dementia.

Many professionals working with older adults with dementia have a story to share – the woman who never spoke but who could play the piano for hours or the man slumped over the table who sat up and sang his heart out. Music clearly makes a unique difference for some, so how can we extend this benefit to others? Gain skills you can use tomorrow – whether you’re a trained musician or can’t carry a tune in a bucket.

 Participants that attend this sessions will be able to:

• Identify 3 neurological and cultural explanations for the unique effectiveness of music in dementia care
• Learn 3 key concepts for using music to create a pleasing environment and improving quality of life for individuals with dementia (without causing overstimulation)
• Identify 3 key steps in using music to help with completing ADLs and reducing agitation and aggressive behaviors
• Discuss music programs designed to help people with dementia (including music therapy, Music & Memory, and streaming services) and troubleshoot problems with participants’ existing programs

Presenter Rachelle Morgan, MA, MT-BC, CDP has been a board-certified music therapist since 2004 and is the founder of Soundscaping Source, which serves older adults throughout the Kansas City area. Rachelle is on the faculty at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, is a frequent presenter at music therapy conferences, and is in demand as a speaker, consultant, and staff trainer on topics related to music and eldercare. She is the author of the upcoming book Listen, Sing, Dance, Play: Bring Music Into Caregiving For Yourself and Others. Find out more at soundscapingsource.com.

This course is sponsored by the SD Music and Memory Program and SDAHO. Continuing education credits will be provided to nursing home administrators and social workers.

To register and learn more click here.

SDAHO is the South Dakota affiliate of LeadingAge, an approved provider of continuing education in nursing home administration by the South Dakota Board of Nursing Facility Administrators.

SDAHO is approved as a provider for continuing education by the South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners, 135 East Illinois, Suite 214, Spearfish, SD 57783, SDBSWE. Provider #1012.