Engaging Seniors through Musical Improvisation (7 credits)

Looking for new ways to engage older adults beyond familiar songs and traditional sing-alongs?

Musical improvisation can give older adults opportunities to create, communicate, make choices, express themselves, and connect with others, even when verbal communication or physical abilities are limited.

In this practical course, you’ll explore approachable ways to use musical improvisation to build trust and rapport while encouraging active participation. You’ll learn how to use Orff and other accessible instruments to create improvisational experiences that can support self-expression, communication, stress reduction, emotional release, storytelling, and moments of celebration and connection.

You’ll also discover which instruments work particularly well with older adults, ideas for making and finding instruments without spending a fortune, and ways to adapt musical experiences for different needs and abilities.

Because engagement doesn’t have to stop with instrument playing, you’ll also learn five ways to incorporate movement into music experiences for clients with varying levels of mobility.

You’ll leave with practical improvisation ideas, instrument strategies, and movement experiences you can bring directly into your individual and group music therapy sessions with older adults.

In this workshop, you will learn:

How to use musical improvisation to build trust, rapport, and connection with older adults.
Practical ways to encourage self-expression, choice-making, communication, and active participation through music.
How to use Orff and other accessible instruments to facilitate improvisational experiences.
Ways to structure improvisations around stress reduction, emotional expression, storytelling, celebration, and social connection.
Which instruments are particularly useful when working with older adults and affordable ways to make or find additional instruments.
How to adapt improvisational experiences for clients with different cognitive, communication, and physical abilities.
Ways to incorporate movement into music sessions for clients with varying levels of mobility.

Here’s What People are Saying:

“This class provided practical examples of improvisation which could be applied to clinical work. I also liked that it gave me information about how to practice improvisation..” Akiko N.

“One thing I learned in this course is how to adapt some interventions for adults with dementia. For example, using simpler emotion words/cards that would be recognized while improvising on percussive instruments.. I loved the positive energy and enthusiasm of the presenter..” Charles R.

“There are several interventions I plan to incorporate into my “bag of tricks” — a variety of scarves, colorful pictures cut from magazines or calendars, a pair of drumsticks to create sounds anywhere. These will be especially useful with dementia clients.” Linda R.

Learning Objectives:

1.Participants will be able to name 1 way to relax with music.

2.Participants will be able to list 1 way to use the ipad in improvisation.

3.Participants will be able to identify 1 way to use Orff Instruments with seniors.

4.Participants will be able to name 2 ways musical improvisation encourages nonverbal self-expression, builds self-esteem or builds communication skills.

Schedule

Part 1

Introductions and Overview of Webinar Working with Goals and Objectives as it relates to improvisation What is client centered improvisation? Instruments (purchased and created) plus Instrument iPad apps for Seniors The Voice in Improvisation Exploring Orff with Seniors Explore Musical Ways to Build Trust and Rapport Creating Music for Relaxation Explore Ways to Integrate Movement into your sessions for clients of all levels of mobility

Part 2

Creating a Song of Celebration Playing emotions Musical Paper Game Creating a Song of Celebration Picture and Art Improvisations A Musical Story Resources to explore and share

5 hours of recordings and 1 hour Self-study assignment = 6 contact hours

CBMT Domain areas:

Domain II Treatment Planning: 2D-4 Identification of treatment progress and outcomes (e.g., short-term measurable objectives, long-term goals); task statement 27 Establish client goals and objectives within domains of health/wellness and determine an appropriate system for tracking client progress, outcomes, and exit criteria as needed

Domain III Implementation: 3A-3 Treatment modification within and across sessions based on the client's response and growth (e.g., alternate applications of music, appropriate music selection, adaptation of the physical/virtual session space); 3A-7 Music therapy methods used to support therapeutic outcomes (e.g., improvising, recreating, composing, listening, moving); 3A-10 Clinical adaptation of musicianship to address therapeutic needs; 3A-11 Effects of music elements and music experience (e.g., psychological, emotional, physical) and Task Statement 36 Engage the client in individualized music therapy experiences to address the client's established goals and objectives within multiple domains of health and well-being (e.g., psychosocial, physiological, spiritual, musical)

Domain III Implementation: 3A-6 Theoretical frameworks for music therapy treatment implementation (e.g., educational, developmental, neurological, psychological)"

Domain III Implementation: 3A-7 Music therapy methods used to support therapeutic outcomes (e.g., improvising, recreating, composing, listening, moving); 3A-10 Clinical adaptation of musicianship to address therapeutic needs

Domain III Implementation: 3A-10 Clinical adaptation of musicianship to address therapeutic needs

Domain III Implementation: 3A-6 Theoretical frameworks for music therapy treatment implementation (e.g., educational, developmental, neurological, psychological)

Engaging Seniors Through Musical Improvisation is approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) for 7 CMTEs-Continuing Music Therapy Education credits. The Spiegel Academy, CBMT Approved Provider #P-106, maintains responsibility for program quality and adherence to CBMT policies and criteria.

Class Description