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. 2022 Feb 28;10(3):457.
doi: 10.3390/healthcare10030457.

Understanding the Effects of Music Care on the Lived Experience of Isolation and Loneliness in Long-Term Care: A Qualitative Study

Sheetal Cheetu  1 , Mara Medeiros  2 , Lauren Winemaker  3 , Maggie Li  4 , Lee Bartel  5 , Bev Foster  6 , Chelsea Mackinnon  1
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Understanding the Effects of Music Care on the Lived Experience of Isolation and Loneliness in Long-Term Care: A Qualitative Study

Sheetal Cheetu et al. Healthcare (Basel). .

Abstract

This qualitative study aims to understand the lived experience of residents and other stakeholders during the implementation of a comprehensive music program in long-term care. It was conducted using a subset of 15 long-term care homes from the Room 217 Foundation Music Care Partners (MCP) "Grow" study in Ontario, Canada. The MCP program's approach to music delivery uses therapeutic music practices such as "music care" to improve the care experience for caregivers and residents in long-term care homes. Thirty-two participants were interviewed, including staff, volunteers, and residents. Data were transcribed and analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach based on emergent themes. In total, seven themes arose from the data: limited resources, distinct experiences, life enrichment, dynamic relationships, program flexibility, potential continuity, and enhanced socialization. This study provides insight on barriers, enablers, and outcomes of the MCP program and on key considerations for implementing a novel interdisciplinary music program in a healthcare setting.

Keywords: caregiving; loneliness; long-term care; music; non-pharmacological interventions.

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Conflict of interest statement

This research was conducted in partnership with the Room 217 Foundation, a health arts charitable organization that changes the care experience with music. The Room 217 Foundation applied for—and received—the Trillium grant in order to fund the scientific investigation on the effects of the Music Care Partners Program. Since the Room 217 Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organization, none of the researchers or other stakeholders stand to gain financially from this work.

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