With Love From Me to Me: Using Songwriting to Teach Coping Skills to Caregivers of Those With Alzheimer's and Other Dementias

Abstract

This pilot intervention compared the effects of songwriting and discussion as methods for teaching self-care to caregivers of those with dementia. The investigator led a psychoeducational discussion and a songwriting intervention with a group of caregivers, focusing on self-care. Participants answered two open-ended questions that were analyzed by finding themes and with the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) program. Themes found included: distraction from stress; reiteration of subject matter; fun; group cohesiveness; therapeutic insight; appreciation; and comment on presentation. The music therapy condition had more responses in the “fun,” “appreciation,” and “comments on presentation” than did the psychoeducational condition. LIWC results were similar between groups. Future interventions warrant utilizing larger groups, psychometric instruments, and follow-up procedures.

Keywords:

• caregiver
• Alzheimer's
• dementia
• songwriting
• music therapy
• creativity