Addressing Resident and Caregiver Well-Being Through Virtual Music Therapy in Long-Term Care During COVID-19 and Beyond

Award Date: 2021

Project Lead(s): Kate Dupuis, Schlegel Innovation Leader at Sheridan College

Project Title: Addressing Resident and Caregiver Well-Being Through Virtual Music Therapy in Long-Term Care During COVID-19 and Beyond

Physical distancing and isolation measures implemented during COVID-19 in long-term care (LTC) homes have limited social interaction and recreation for residents. Additionally, increased caregiver distress is of high concern, especially for staff in LTC, whose roles and work environment have changed dramatically during the pandemic. In the current project, we will use the evidence-based power of music therapy to address two pressing issues: social connectedness among residents and caregiver well-being. We will engage with two LTC homes to systematically test our novel virtual music therapy solutions, based on the needs and resources of residents and staff. We will share our learnings with other LTC homes and music therapists in Ontario and beyond.