Paper short abstract:

This study explores the relevance of music, storytelling, and first language for people from migrant backgrounds living with dementia in Australia. Anthropology is juxtaposed to music therapy and dementia studies to develop an intervention based on culturally tailored songs, life history and memory

Paper long abstract:

This study, located at the intersection of anthropology, ageing, music therapy and dementia, explores the relevance of music, storytelling, and first language, for the well-being of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CaLD) living with dementia in Australia. It utilises participant observation and the collection of oral histories to co-create a song together with older Italian migrants living with dementia and their families in Adelaide, South Australia. Thirteen Italy-born participants, over the age of 65 (six living in residential care, and seven at home) participated in a twelve-month timeframe study. An anthropological theoretical framework is juxtaposed and informed by concepts from music therapy (therapeutic song-writing and sound identities) and dementia research (co-narration), to develop a method we call comusichiamo (let’s make music together).

Comusichiamo is a music-engagement intervention involving the co-creation of culturally tailored songs in first language revolving around life history, including reminiscence and autobiographic memory. Data show that the co-creation of culturally tailored songs, composed and sung with the participants, can enhance physical and social engagement, and contribute to the general well-being of participants from migrant backgrounds living with dementia.

Central to the intervention is the sharing of life-history, comprising autobiographic memory, the use of one’s ipsissima verba (the particular words participants employ), and the songs from the ‘soundtrack of one’s life’. The singing and tracing of the threads of the participant’s existence, contributes to safeguarding, performing and re-establishing participants’ cultural identity, while providing social engagement in the life of the participants and their families.