Da Capo Music Therapy Services has over a decade of experience working in the Aged Care and Disability Services sectors. We have serviced several nursing homes in the Greater Blue Mountains in this time, observing significant benefits for residents and staff in increased well-being and social connections, with activities nurturing memory, engagement, and enjoyment.

Our services for Aged Care facilities comprise both group sessions and individual resident visits and can involve further activities such as instrument groups and choirs for memory support. Therapeutic musical activities are tailored to the attending participants, working on recall, social interactions, and emotional well-being; sessions and programmes are designed and constantly adapted with the needs of the residents in mind.

Music therapy in aged care settings is an underutilised service that adds great value to the lives of residents. The final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety listed music therapy as a core service for residential aged care facilities, alongside mental health practitioners, physiotherapists and pharmacists. The Royal Commission recommended that residential aged care facilities employ, or otherwise retain, the services of a music therapist.

The Australian National Health services recognise the importance of music therapy for the aging sector of the population, and have recently included it as a funded therapy in the new ‘Support at Home’ packages: https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/information/the-benefits-of-music-therapy-for-older-people

Some useful YouTube videos showing music therapy in action: