At it’s simplest, drumming can be useful in Aged Care as a form of Diversional Therapy (DT), however the growing body of evidence for the health benefits of group empowerment drumming also shows that specific drumming programs for Heath and Wellness can address the following specific needs in Aged Care:
- social inclusion, building social connections and a feeling of belonging
- decrease stress, lowering of Cortisol levels in the blood
- improved autoimmune systems, through increased levels of Natural Killer (NK) cells that target tumor and virally infected cells in the blood
- moderate, non strenuous exercise
- reduces feelings of depression
- helps with pain management
The HealthRHYTHMS drumming protocol includes steps for general wellness exercises, ice-breakers, group entrainment drumming, motivational drumming and a guided imagery meditation, that have been shown clinically to produce measurable health and wellness benefits.
Video: HealthRHYTHMS in dementia care.
Video: Drumcircle experience in a German Residential Care home (subtitles).
Sustaining Rhythms Music Circles 