Abstract

The purpose of this research was to make a case for how a wide range of needs of persons living with dementia can be addressed within a person-centered music therapy approach that emphasizes therapeutic relationship as a core component. Philosophical inquiry was used to explore models of music therapy that either currently emphasize or have the potential to emphasize person-centred, relationship-based care for the dementia population. A review of the literature revealed that although current models do exist, there is a lack of publications in recent years to support their use. An emergent music therapy approach, Resource-Oriented Music Therapy (Rolvsjord, 2010), was selected for reconceptualization within a dementia care context. To assess the suitability of this approach, medical literature was reviewed to determine the physical, psychological/emotional, and social needs of persons living with dementia. The key concepts of Resource-Oriented Music Therapy were reviewed to formulate an argument for how this music therapy approach can suitably address each domain of need for the dementia population. Implications for further research on how person-centred, relationship-based music therapy approaches may be applied to dementia care, implications for how current music therapy professionals may adapt their practice to provide care within this framework, as well as implications for advocacy of the dementia population presented by this research are explored. This philosophical inquiry may serve as a resource for clinicians, researchers, and students toward enhancing awareness and understanding of how a person-centred, relationship-based approach may be beneficial to their work with persons living with dementia.