The Hidden Value of Music in Aged Care

Hello and welcome,

Last month we talked about making your therapy and lifestyle budget go further.

This month I’d like to explore another question.

How do we help others see the value of what we already know?

You and your Lifestyle teams witness extraordinary moments every day.

A resident who hasn’t spoken suddenly sings every word.

Someone who has been withdrawn begins smiling.

Family members reconnect with a loved one through a favourite song.

Residents become more engaged, conversations begin, and people feel a genuine sense of belonging.

These moments are priceless.

Yet the people responsible for approving budgets don’t always get to see them.

Sometimes all they receive is an invoice.

Perhaps our role isn’t simply to organise wonderful activities.

Perhaps it’s also to tell the stories that show why those activities matter.

Here lies an opportunity to share the stories of why those activities matter.

Music & Memories Moments

Recently I was leading a Music & Memories session when something special happened.

One resident, who is usually quite non-responsive, began engaging with the music. She smiled, made eye contact and responded in ways that were unusual for her.

As staff walked past, they noticed what was happening. One by one they stopped, came over and gently began interacting with her. They smiled, encouraged her and celebrated every small response because they knew this wasn’t something they saw every day.

Watching those staff pause reminded me of something.

They weren’t seeing a music session. They saw a resident reconnect and were witnessing the value that music can bring.

Sometimes people don’t need convincing.

They simply need the opportunity to see the magic for themselves.

The Hidden Value of Music

Music is easy to measure as an expense.

It’s much harder to measure:

• The smile.
• The conversation.
• The hand squeeze.
• The family memory.
• The resident who joins the group for the first time.

Yet these are often the moments that can improve wellbeing, encourage social connection, increase engagement and enhance quality of life.

When we speak about therapy and lifestyle programs, perhaps it can be helpful to focus less on the activity itself and more on the outcomes it creates.

Preparing for a Conversation with Your Manager

Speak the Language of Value

Many Therapy and Lifestyle Teams find asking for additional funding uncomfortable, but advocating for residents is an important part of the role.

Rather than asking for more money, it can help to talk about better resident outcomes - greater wellbeing, meaningful engagement, social connection and quality of life.

If you’re hoping to increase your budget, here are a few ideas.

Collect Stories

Numbers are helpful, but stories are memorable.

“Mrs Smith had barely spoken all week. During the music session she smiled, sang and danced with her daughter for the first time in months.”

Share a simple example of a resident who smiled, reconnected with a memory, joined a group for the first time, or enjoyed a special moment with family or staff.

Keep simple records.

Track:

• attendance
• family involvement
• resident feedback
• photos (with appropriate consent)
• positive feedback from staff and relatives
• increased participation over time

These small pieces of information become powerful evidence over time.

Ask for a trial.

Instead of requesting a permanent increase, consider asking for funding for one additional program over three months.

A successful trial is often easier to approve, that once proven can later become part of the regular budget.

Go with a plan for evaluating the trial, for example using the ideas in the “Keep simple records” list above.

Link Activities to Organisational Goals

When discussing funding, connect activities to outcomes that matter to your organisation:

• Resident wellbeing.
• Social connection and belonging.
• Meaningful engagement.
• Positive family experiences, family satisfaction.
• A welcoming, positive home environment.
• Quality of life

Speak about investment.

Rather than saying:

“We need more money for ….”

Try:

“We’d like to expand opportunities that improve resident wellbeing, engagement and quality of life for more people across the home.”

A small increase in funding can often create hundreds of meaningful interactions throughout the year.

Try This Today

This week, start collecting simple stories, participation numbers and positive feedback from residents, families and staff. Having meaningful evidence at your fingertips will help you walk into your next conversation with your manager feeling prepared, confident and able to clearly demonstrate the value of your programs.

Music & Memories Thought

“When we invest in meaningful experiences, we are not simply filling a calendar. We are helping people feel seen, valued and connected.”

Questions & Answers

Q: I don’t enjoy asking for funding.

A: I completely understand it is not easy. Remember, you aren’t asking for yourself. You’re advocating for opportunities that enrich residents’ lives and every extra program has the potential to create moments of connection, joy and belonging.

Q: How can I help management understand the value?

A: Share stories, simple participation data and family feedback. Together they paint a much clearer picture than an invoice ever can. Management is more likely to support programs when they can see the difference they make.

Q: How do I justify spending on music when budgets are tight?

A: Focus on outcomes rather than the activity itself. Music can support reminiscence, social connection, movement, emotional wellbeing and meaningful engagement, all within a single session.

A Thought to Leave with You

If management only sees an invoice, they see a cost.

If they see a resident smiling, singing, dancing and connecting with others, they see an investment.

Every meaningful moment you help create is far more than an activity on a calendar. It is an opportunity for someone to feel seen, valued, connected and remembered and can brighten an entire day

Sometimes the biggest budgets don’t belong to the loudest voices, they belong to the teams that can clearly show the difference they make.

Thank you for the advocacy, compassion and persistence you show every day. The work you do matters more than you may ever realise.

With thanks and gratitude,