Hirst, Sandra PatriciaParr Vijinski, Jon Joseph2022-01-312022-01-312022-01-27Parr Vijinski, J. J. (2022). Caregivers’ Experiences of how Music facilitates Communication for People with Dementiahttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/114356The purpose of this study was to explore caregivers’ experiences of how music facilitates communication for people with dementia. One major effect of dementia is that language abilities become increasingly compromised and disordered, leading to a decrease in quality of life. Music is used in dementia care as a conduit to facilitate communication, even in late stages of dementia. A constructivist grounded theory methodology informed this study. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit nine formal and four informal caregivers for a total of 13 participants. Sixteen interviews and a focus group were conducted. Charmaz’s analytical steps were used to guide the analysis. Three main categories emerged: (a) Relating with Others, (b) Memories through Music, and (c) Being in the Moment. These categories provided the theoretical framework for the present grounded theory of Communication through Emotional Connectedness. This study provides new insights into the dynamic interplay of relating, remembering, and being that provides impetus towards communication from people with dementia. The result of this study indicates that music can facilitate communication, resulting in the potential to improve quality of life and maintain/build relationships with caregivers. This study, as explorative, may also provide the foundation for concatenated research including, for example, interprofessional approaches.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.music and communicationdementiaperson-centred caregrounded theoryNursingdoctoral thesis10.11575/PRISM/39561