Meeting Through Music

Abstract

Abstract: The current study explores how online music therapy contributes to helping people with dementia and their relationships to their spouses. Fourteen couples participated in eight online music-therapy sessions that also included musical strategies for use between the sessions. A qualitative content analysis of the music therapists’ reports and summaries of the conversations conducted with the caregiver spouses enabled me to observe the couples’ experiences. The findings indicate that the music-therapy sessions enabled the partners to rekindle their relationship as a couple while supporting the caregiver spouse. The guiding and supportive presence of the music therapist was meaningful in this process. Online at-home music therapy for couples can thus be an essential resource for providing extended support to couples.