A NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTION PROTOCOL TO REDUCE DEMENTIA-RELATED AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIORS IN OLDER NURSING HOME RESIDENTS IN LEBANON: A PROPOSAL FOR THE DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, AND EVALUATION OF INDIVIDUALIZED MUSIC THERAPY

Abstract

As the older adult population in Lebanon is expected to double to 20% in 2030 so is the risk of dementia which is characterized by a gradual and progressive cognitive decline and commonly affects older adults. Therefore, dementia is expected to become a public crisis in Lebanon within the next 20 years. Dementia is associated with behavioral and psychological changes that significantly affect the patient's quality of life. Aggression, which is a common behavioral dysfunction associated with dementia, is usually managed with atypical antipsychotics which may increase mortality risk. Hence, there is a need to explore a non-pharmacological approach to manage dementia-related aggression that does not pose a high risk to patients. Studies have shown that music therapy is a promising non-pharmacological intervention that has a significant effect on reducing dementia-related aggression. The objective of this project is to design, implement, and evaluate an individualized music therapy protocol with the goal of reducing dementia-related aggressive behavior frequency in a Lebanese sample of older adults residing in a nursing home. This project introduces an Individualized Music Intervention protocol to manage agitation and aggression in dementia patients, adding to the intervention Middle Eastern music to accommodate Lebanese culture. The implementation and evaluation plan for this intervention is described. This intervention will take place in a Lebanese nursing home and will target older adults.