Self-care and creativity: A group therapeutic songwriting intervention protocol for caregivers of people with dementia

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Caregivers of people with dementia face important health challenges due to the natural progression of the disease. Self-care is associated with improvements in quality of life and well-being, however, the available evidence on self-care for caregivers is limited. This study aims to create a theoretical Group Therapeutic Songwriting (GTSW) intervention protocol for self-care of caregivers of people with dementia.

Method

This article is structured in three sections. First, we developed a new conceptual framework for self-care and its structures of support, in which we framed the different self-care strategies studied in the field of caregiving. Second, we developed a theoretical GTSW intervention protocol based on the experience-oriented approach, humanistic influences and the theory of the creative psyche, and proposed a GTSW process for self-care in caregivers of people with dementia. Finally, and with the aim of showing the applicability of this theoretical model, we designed an intervention programme in 12 sessions of 60 minutes conducted by a trained music therapist.

Results

The protocol presented in this article connects songwriting processes to conceptual framework for self-care for caregivers of people with dementia. The cornerstone of this protocol is the RETE process, which we define as having four distinct stages: Respite – Exploration/Expression – Transformation – Empowerment.

Discussion and Conclusion

Exploratory research has been conducted using the group therapeutic songwriting intervention protocol for self-care. Future studies for intervention refinement are warranted.

KEYWORDS:

• Music therapy
• dementia
• family caregivers
• therapeutic songwriting
• theoretical model
• self-care

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work has been supported by the Institute of Older People and Social Services (IMSERSO), Ministry of Social Rights and 2030 Agenda, Government of Spain.

Notes on contributors

Esther García-Valverde

Esther García-Valverde is a researcher and music therapy clinician with 9 years of experience working with people with dementia and their families at the National Reference Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care of Salamanca (acronym in Spanish, CREA) of the IMSERSO (acronym for “Instituto de Mayores y Servicios Sociales” [Institute of Older People and Social Services]). She is also Associate Professor in the Department of Labour Law and Social Work of University of Salamanca, Spain. Email: [email protected]

Marta Badia

Marta Badia, Ph.D., is a senior lecturer in the Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment at the University of Salamanca, Spain. Her research focuses on the quality of life of people with disabilities and dementias. Email: [email protected]

Mª Begoña Orgaz

Mª Begoña Orgaz, Ph.D., Department of Basic Psychology, Psychobiology, and Methodology of Behavioral Sciences of University of Salamanca, Spain. Her ongoing research focuses on issues related to the design of methodological research, with experience in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. Email: [email protected]