American Music Therapy Association

How can we age well? Through music, of course! In this highly-interactive workshop, explore the theoretical constructs of gerotranscendence and integrity vs despair through music-based experiences, using the music of older adult performers. Leave with new knowledge of how to facilitate music experiences to help older adults live their final years.

Objectives:

Objective 1: Participants will describe the three main parts of Tornstam’s theory of gerotranscendence and how this theory informs their music therapy work. (CBMT Board Certification Domains I.D.4, 8-10, II.A.4.D)

Objective 2:  Participants will describe Erik Erikson’s eighth stage of development and how this theoretical construct informs their music therapy work. (CBMT Board Certification Domains I.D.4, 8-10, II.A.4.D)

Objective 3: Participants will identify two ways to facilitate music experiences to aid in processing the developmental changes that come with aging and end of life (CBMT Board Certification Domains I.D.4 8-10, II.A.1.a-h, 5.a,b,g,h,n, 4.D)

Schedule:

8:00-8:15 Introductions
8:15-9:00 Explore ageism in popular music and discuss outdated theories of aging
9:00-9:10 Break
9:10-10:30 Discuss Erikson's eighth developmental stages and explore musically (active listening, discussion, recreation of songs, songwriting, movement, art)
10:30-11:00 Break
11:00-12:20 Discuss gerotranscendence and explore musically (active listening, discussion, recreation of songs, songwriting, movement, art)
12:20-12:40 Final discussion of implementing music experiences with clients to aid in healthy aging
12:40-12:50 Evaluations