Music Therapy Online/Music therapy for caregivers of people with dementia

Music therapy for caregivers of people with dementia

  • Course
  • 20 Lessons

Music therapy and music-based interventions for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Designed for practising music therapists, this tutorial covers research, practical applications, and program development. Learn to differentiate approaches, design caregiver and professional training, support daily care, and enhance wellbeing, while supporting caregiver health.

Evidence-Based Training for Real-World Impact

If you support people living with dementia you already know how complex and emotionally demanding this work can be.

This comprehensive online tutorial gives you practical, research-backed tools to:

  • Improve quality of life for people living with dementia

  • Reduce agitation and behavioural challenges

  • Support caregiver wellbeing

  • Confidently implement music-based interventions in daily care

All from the comfort of your own home, at your own pace.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this training, you will:

  • Understand the research evidence supporting music therapy in dementia care

  • Clearly distinguish between music therapy and music based resources that can be utilised for people living with dementia.

  • Understand the process for developing, implementing and evaluating music-based resources for people living with dementia.

  • Support both professional and family caregivers using music

  • Evaluate outcomes using practical tools and frameworks

  • Be able to advocate for the role of a professional music therapist and the different uses of music to support people living with dementia.

  • Apply practical music-based experiences to your music therapy practice which support the use of music and music-based interventions.

Why This Matters

Dementia care is evolving—and music is one of the most powerful, evidence-based tools available.

Yet many professionals and caregivers:

  • Feel unsure how to use music effectively

  • Lack structured training

  • Struggle to translate research into practice

This course bridges that gap.

Course Content

7 In-Depth Video Modules

  • Introduction, overview & learning outcomes

  • Research evidence for music-based interventions

  • Providers of music-based programs (basic → advanced)

  • Music therapy with caregivers

  • Caregiver wellbeing through music

  • Telehealth in dementia care

  • Summary, bonus content & next steps

Practical Learning Materials

  • Tutorial summary

  • Workbook (PDF + Word)

  • Article review templates

  • Project templates

Bonus Resources

  • Curated reference list

  • Research articles

  • Caregiver training infographics

  • Telehealth guides

Earn CPD / CMTE Credits

  • Complete optional homework activities to extend your learning

  • Earn CPD/CMTE points quickly and easily

  • Strengthen your professional development portfolio

Learn Anytime, Anywhere

  • 100% online

  • Available 24/7

  • Self-paced learning

  • Lifetime access

What Makes This Course Different?

Unlike generic training, this course:

✔ Learn from an expert in the field

✔ Combine research + real-world application
✔ Focuse on both clients AND caregivers
✔ Covers home, community, and clinical settings
✔ Integrates telehealth and modern care delivery

Dr Melissa Mercadal

About your presenter

Dr. Melissa Mercadal-Brotons is an internationally recognised leader in music therapy, with a distinguished career spanning clinical practice, research, and higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology from the Universidad de Barcelona and formal music training from the Conservatorio Municipal de Barcelona. She later completed a Master’s degree in Music Therapy at The Florida State University and a PhD in Music Education from the University of Oregon.From 1988 to 1998, Dr. Mercadal-Brotons served as Professor of Music Therapy at Willamette University in Oregon, where she integrated teaching, research, and clinical work, specialising in music therapy for people living with dementia. Her work during this period contributed significantly to advancing the evidence base and practical application of music therapy in geriatric and dementia care.She is currently the Academic Director at the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (Esmuc) in Barcelona, where she is also a Professor in the Department of Music Education and Director of the Master’s Program in Music Therapy. Her leadership continues to shape the next generation of music therapists.Dr. Mercadal-Brotons has held prominent international roles, including Past-President of the World Federation of Music Therapy and Spain’s representative to the European Music Therapy Confederation (2013–2019). She also serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Music and Medicine, where she leads a Special Interest Group focused on music therapy in dementia care.An accomplished author and researcher, she has published extensively and co-authored several influential books on music therapy in gerontology, medicine, and disability, contributing to the global advancement of the field.

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Contents

Tutorial Doc's

Tutorial summary
Article review proforma - pdf version
Article review proforma - word version
Workbook - pdf version
Workbook - word version
Project - pdf version
Project - word version

Videos

1. Introduction, overview and learning objectives
Preview
2. Research evidence for music-based interventions in dementia
3. Who provides music-based interventions? Basic and advanced programs in dementia care
4. Music therapy with caregivers of people living with dementia
5. Music therapy for caregivers wellbeing
6. The advantages of telehealth for people with dementia and their caregivers
7. Summary, bonus content and extra resources

Extra Resources

Tutorial reference list
Article: Music therapy and it's applications in dementia care: Spanish perspectives
Article: Online support program for the use of music-based resources for daily care for families living with dementia
Infographic - Training family caregivers
Infographic - Musical care with families project
Infographic - Telehealth with Persons with Dementia & Caregivers

Earn up to 5+ CMTE/CPD credits quickly and easily!

Frequently asked questions

You've got questions. We've got answers :)

When does the course start and finish?

The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.

How long do I have access to the course?

How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.

What if I am unhappy with the course?

We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

Do I receive a certificate when I complete the tutorial?

Yes, you certainly do! You will automatically receive a certificate once you finish watching the tutorials. For verification of your bonus content activities please see your TUTORIAL SUMMARY & SUBMISSION INFO for specific information on claiming your CMTE/CPD credits.

Why haven't I received my certificate?

You'll need to watch ALL of the video's before you can receive your certificate.

I'm from the US/Canada, what CBMT domains are covered in this tutorial?

Scroll down to see which CBMT board certified domains you can use to submit this activity for CBMT credits.