In music, people can make themselves heard, even if they cannot communicate verbally or words have long lost their meaning. Music (therapy) helps people find a way out of their isolation, find pleasure in making music together, or enjoy soothing sounds in an individual therapy setting. Its individualized design makes it adaptable for a wide range of moods that older people experience in everyday life, and can help in difficult situations. Creative work in music therapy is always professionally grounded - subtly, playfully, or expressively, and is used to underscore mood. This book describes music therapy objectives and methods for older people. It provides many tips for specific sequences of interventions, for using instruments, choice of music, and related discussion topics.

Author informationProf. Dr. Alexander F. Wormit teaches clinical music therapy and heads the Bachelor's degree in music therapy at SRH University Heidelberg. Dr. Thomas K. Hillecke teaches clinical psychology and heads the Master's degrees in music therapy and dance movement therapy at SRH University Heidelberg. Prof. Dr. Dorothee von Moreau is head of the teaching clinic for music therapy and dance and movement therapy at SRH University Heidelberg. Prof. Dr. Carsten Diener is vice president for research and practice transfer at SRH University Heidelberg and heads the Bachelor's degree in psychology within the Faculty of Applied Psychology.