Dr Margaret Winbolt

Dr Michael Bauer

Associate Professor Virginia Lewis

Ms Carol Chenco

Dr Laura Tarzia

Dr Francine Hanley

Presenter: Ben Gatehouse

Position: Dementia Consultant, Southern Cross Care (Vic)

ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE

WITH A PERSONALISED MP3

PROGRAM

Southern Cross Care (Vic) - Snapshot

Aspiration – Older People Living Well

Metropolitan and Regional Victoria:

9 residential homes with over 700 approved places

15 independent living units and more planned

1,546 Home care packages: Level 1 – Level 4

240,000+++ hours of in home support services including personal care, home care and respite

212,000+++ hours of respite care per annum

1,300 staff

400+ volunteers

Background to this Research

Community and residential staff and families

wanting additional resources and strategies to:

Improve quality of life through leisure and lifestyle

activities

Prevent, and or manage behaviours of concern (i.e.

anxiety, restlessness, shadowing, persistent

questioning)

Use music in a more individualised, person-centred

way

MP3 Project

Commenced using MP3 technology in community

and residential care settings in late 2010:

All clients/residents at different stages of

dementia were eligible to participate

Dementia champions, Care Managers, Regional

Managers and Managers of Residential Homes,

were briefed about the project and referral

staff/family feedback documents were developed

Research Partnership

In late 2011, SCC (Vic) partnered with the

Australian Institute for Primary Care and Ageing

at La Trobe University to research the use of MP3

technology

The research looked specifically at the impact of

using the MP3 on the quality of life and well-

being of the carers of people with dementia living

in the community

The Project

Determine whether the use of an MP3 player provides

respite from the high level of vigilance required for caring,

and the feelings of stress that can be experienced by

carers.

Measure the effects of the MP3 use on caregivers’ self-

reported stress levels, quality of life, perceived carer

burden, self-care opportunities and confidence to manage

BPSD.

50 carers of people living with dementia in the

community setting participated in the study

Intervention: MP3 player loaded with music of choice;

used for period of 4 weeks; offered by the carer

Data collection: Questionnaires; diary; interviews

Quantitative Results

• N=50 clients

• Comparing survey results from pre-MP3 use to 4 weeks of

use: Significant decrease in psychological distress of carers (using

K10 measure)

Significant increase in self-efficacy for managing dementia

(certainty of being able to handle problems, deal with

frustration & keep relatively independent)

Description of Carers Participating

Relationship to person in care 94.1% (48) living in same dwelling

2% (1) walking distance/ 10min travel

3.9% (2) >10min travel

Responsibility for care

94.1% (48) primary carer

84.6% (33) sole carer

Primary occupation status

90.2% (46) retired/ not in paid employment

7.8% (4) employed full-time in paid work

2% (1) employed part-time in paid work

Description of Carers Participating

(cont)

Primary occupation status

90.2% (46) retired/ not in paid employment

7.8% (4) employed full-time in paid work

2% (1) employed part-time in paid work

Number of hours per week spent caring

5.9% < 20 hours per week

84% 20-60 hours per week

9.8% 24 hours per day

Duration of time caring for the person

51% (26) > 5 years

35% (18) 2-5 years

14% (7) < 2 years

Dementia Caregiver Quotes

“Den became more relaxed, calmer and less anxious.

This is a very pleasant surprise as Den was not one to

enjoy music to any great extent previously” (Carer)

“Once you know what music works, it’s just amazing”

(Carer)

“To see how music so dramatically affected her, just left

me gobsmacked”! (Carer)

“I found that he was less demanding of my attention,

when I needed to focus on something. That was a

really good break for me. It was like having a respite,

actually.” (Carer)

What Else Did We Learn?

Responses to the program differed between sites:

The dementia champion is pivotal

Pre-judging of clients/residents may result in some

people missing the opportunity to be involved

Portability of the MP3 player is a key

Intergenerational exchange

Conclusion

The use of MP3 players was confirmed as a positive strategy

Provides some relief from the everyday stress of caring

Perceived to be an enjoyable activity

Benefits to both carers and people living with dementia

MP3 library now established for community and residential

care homes