Alzheimer's Music Therapy

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Recommended: Statement of the problem of Music as Therapy

Music Therapy in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Lori A. Montoya
Tacoma Community College

Music Therapy in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
It is estimated more than 5.3 million people have Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, with a new case of AD being diagnosed every 70 seconds. For women living over the age of 55 the risk of developing AD is 17%. For men, at the same age, the risk is slightly lowered at 9% (LeMone, Burke & Bauldoff, 2011, p.1510). Due to these staggering statics, AD continues to be an area of great interest and concern for the medical community. Although the cause of AD is unknown and there is currently no cure, many advances have been made in the treatment of AD. Treatments for AD are now expanding out from simply providing traditional pharmacological interventions to incorporating alternative treatments as well. Music therapy is one of the alternative treatments now being implemented for individuals suffering from AD. This research paper will discuss what Alzheimer’s disease is, what music therapy is and how music therapy is implemented in the treatment of AD, as well as the benefits and barriers of music therapy in AD patients
Alzheimer’s Disease
“Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes” (Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 2014). AD is a debilitating disease that interferes with the individual’s quality of life and often causes distress to the loved ones around them. The cause of AD is unknown; however, there are some factors that put individuals at risk for developing AD such as: age (gre...

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Mohamad, E., Virginie, P., & Philippe, A. (2012). Music enhances autobiographical memory in mild alzheimer's disease. Educational Gerontology, 38, 30-41.
Phaneuf, M. (2014). Music as a nursing intervention, not as crazy as it sounds. Retrieved from: http://www.infiressources.ca/MyScriptorAdmin/scripto.asp?resultat=138680 Townsend, M. (2011). Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing. (5th ed., pp. 256-257).
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