Outcomes
Implementing a therapeutic rhythm program:
- Builds community among residents, between residents and caregivers, and among caregivers.
- Enhances motor skills and muscle control, breathing and circulation.
- Enhances short-term and long-term memory, attention span, and general cognition, often resulting in improved and increased communication.
- Encourages self expression which often leads to improved moods, greater motivation, and greater socialization.
- Encourages non-clinical staff to build relationships and spend time with residents in pleasurable activity.
- Provides an opportunity for casual interaction between residents and staff, often resulting in stronger relationships and thus better care.
- Demonstrates residents functional capacities in an unique way that may not be observed during regular daily care.
- Encourages leadership from administrators, department heads, nursing staff, recreation, physical therapy, family members, and other clinical and non-clinical caregivers.
- Provides an opportunity for residents and staff to enjoy time together as people having fun, sharing in a (non-clinical) moment together.
Encouraging all facility staff to participate:
- Introduce all staff, from administrators to maintenance to nursing to chefs, to the importance of a therapeutic rhythm environment and the benefits of rhythm for everyone who participates (and leads!)
- Create a facility-wide understanding of the importance of relationships between residents and caregivers, and contribute to improved person centered care.
- Create stronger bonds between staff, as participating in a rhythm group requires group cooperation and cohesion, and also draws attention to the uniqueness of each participant.
