MUSIC CARE

Career Musician Providing Therapeutic Music-Care

Matt Day provides music services for hospitals, youth centres, retirement residences, assisted living and memory care facilities. 

Matt first saw the benefits of music care in 2008 on a memory care floor at Garneau Hall, Edmonton, Alberta. As a result, he now provides music care services, in-person and virtually, throughout Western Canada.

In addition, Matt partners with organizations such as CLPNA, AUPE Health Sector, AHS, Covenant Health, Nova Scotia Therapeutic Recreation Association and the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association. Matt’s keynote presentations and workshops deliver valuable music care insights.

 

Therapeutic Music-Care Sessions

Music-care sessions include sing-alongs, ukulele groups, music lessons, music bingo, name that tune, music trivia, C-instrument jam sessions, music composition, chimes, iPad improvising/performance, song parody writing and music-memory activities and games.

 

Instruments

Providing music care at one of Canada’s largest rehabilitation hospitals, Matt has successfully used instruments including guitars, ukuleles, kalimbas, chimes, portable keyboards, violins and lap-harps. Instruments were provided through generous donations from the hospital’s volunteer organization and individuals. Instruments are chosen carefully to accommodate easy sanitization after patient use.

 

Audio Canvas

In 2018 AMI produced a mini-documentary focussed on Matt’s technology-based music creation program Audio Canvas at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta. Watch the documentary HERE.

Gallery of Music Care Activities

Music Bingo

This classic game covers golden oldies, 50s and 60’s, country and jazz. Participants are given bingo cards with 25 songs, blotters and buzzers. As each song is played, squares are marked off until bingos are achieved in rows, four corners, the X, picture frame etc. Accommodating varying cognition levels, songs may be sung or played instrumentally. If no musician is available, the bingo host can sing the melodies or use Youtube Links or Spotify as a means of accessing the music.

Name That Tune

Excellent for cognition and memory lane journeys.  This can be played with melody notes only, melody with words, full song or with YouTube links. While a live performer is preferred, YouTube, Spotify and iTunes are good musical resources. Matt offers a downloadable version for PowerPoint or Keynote with patients in a 1:1 setting on an iPad. Here is a sample of the game on a device if no musician is available.

Keyboards for Kids and Older Kids

Great resource for youth, adult and geriatric populations as they do not require the player to pitch the note. Auto-chord and rhythmic beats add a fun aspect that can hold attention to the music longer. For music to be recreationally effective, it is important that musical success be achieved early in the session.

Chime Group Jam Session

Chimes sound beautiful, are easy to play and hold and efficient to clean. Often, Matt keeps chimes in the key of C and players follow colour coded music sheets while playing along. Chimes are colour coded and that same colour appears on the lyric where the chime is to be played during the song. This activity provides excellent motor and auditory exercise while being fun and social.

Music Jeopardy/ Trivia

A hit with all ages! Identifying music history, lyrics, songs, performers and movie soundtracks gives this game broad appeal. Played individually or on teams with content delivered on a flatscreen or projector via iPad or computer.

Rhythm Instruments

Shakers, maracas and hand drums provide delightful opportunities for music expression. Some patients play with good rhythmic timing and others just enjoy feeling included! Social inclusion in musical activities is always a great outcome in music care.

Instrument Adaptations

In some cases, instruments can be adapted to make playability more accessible for patients. Removing as many obstacles as possible is critical and very beneficial for recreational therapy goals.

iPads and More

Devices such as iPads allow musical expression and creativity to flow without the worry of wrong notes, pitch problems or lack of music training.