Nancy Krutenat is a music therapist who has been providing music therapy exclusively to the senior community for over twenty years in nursing homes, memory care, assisted and independent living, and in-home care. Much of her time is spent doing music therapy with individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia. Nancy uses a variety of music interventions to address the goals and needs of the individual or group with whom she's working. Discussion of song lyrics, or playing in an instrumental group may be used to promote socialization and interaction; participants are able to express their feelings verbally or nonverbally through song and instrument playing; playing drums, tone chimes and other instruments strengthens fine and gross motor coordination. Other goals may be to promote wellness, manage stress, decrease pain and agitation, cognitive stimulation, and to improve the quality of life of all clients.

Nancy is a music therapist and a music educator, with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Roberts Wesleyan College, N. Chili, NY, and holds a New York State Permanent Public School Teacher, K-12, certificate. During her studies at Roberts, Nancy discovered music therapy, and knew then that she wanted to do music therapy with the senior population. She continued on to earn her Master of Music Therapy degree at Loyola University, New Orleans. Gerontology was her major area of study while pursuing Ph.D. studies in Music Education/Music Therapy at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.

What Is Music Therapy?

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Music therapy interventions can be designed to promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, enhance memory, improve communications and provide unique opportunities for interaction. Research in music therapy supports the effectiveness of interventions in many areas such as facilitating movement, and overall physical rehabilitation, increasing motivation to engage in treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and creating an outlet for expression of feelings. Because music therapy is a powerful and non-threatening medium, unique outcomes are possible.

How Does Music Therapy Make a Difference For Older Persons?

Music therapy treatment is efficacious and valid with older persons who have functional deficits in physical, psychological, cognitive or social functioning. Research results and clinical experiences attest to the viability of music therapy even in those who are resistive to other treatment approaches. Music is a form of sensory stimulation, which provokes responses due to the familiarity, predictability, and feelings of security associated with it.

Music Therapy verses Music Entertainment

Music entertainment focuses on the entertainer, while music therapy is all about the client, their preferences, strengths, weaknesses, goals, and their timeline. In music therapy sessions, the clients are not passively sitting and listening to music; they are active participants in the music, working on accomplishing non-musical goals by moving to the music, playing instruments, and singing to the music. The clients are the focus of the music therapy session.

Music Therapy Provides Opportunities For:

• Memory recall which contributes to reminiscence and satisfaction with life
• Positive changes in mood and emotional states
• Sense of control over life through successful experiences
• Awareness of self and environment which accompanies increased attention to music
• Anxiety and stress reduction for older adult and caregivers
• Non-pharmacological management of pain and discomfort
• Stimulation which provokes interest even when no other approach is effective
• Structure which promotes rhythmic and continuous movement or vocal fluency as an adjunct to physical rehabilitation
• Emotional intimacy when spouses and families share creative music experiences
• Social interaction with caregivers and families

Research Highlights

• Music therapy reduces depression among older adults.
• Music experiences can be structured to enhance social/emotional skills, to assist in recall and language skills and to decrease problem behaviors.
• Music tasks can be used to assess cognitive ability in people with Alzheimer's Disease.
• Music is effective in decreasing the frequency of agitated and aggressive behaviors for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias.
• Individuals in the late stages of dementia respond to and interact with music.

"I have had the privilege of observing Music Therapist, Nancy Krutenat, for 8 1/2 years. In that time, I have seen first hand, the knowledge, experience and expertise she demonstrates at every session she performs for our residents.

As a program director for residents suffering from Alzheimer's and Dementia, I can easily state that her technique and ability to involve the residents in active participation is unparalleled. Not only does she provide meaningful programs for these residents, she does so in an effort to share their experiences and offers them the opportunity to feel needed and purposeful throughout.

The number of residents that I work with on a daily basis, whom I am able to witness come to life during Nancy's programs, are too plentiful to recall and as a result of her impressive programming, I have elected to have her come in on a regular schedule.

Anyone who takes advantage of the opportunity to have Nancy present her abilities will not be disappointed, and her addition to your calendar will provide a meaningful and lasting impression on the residents you mean to serve."
- Tim Anderson, Program Coordinator

"It's fun!"
- Carl (participant)