Emma Sandberg on Music, Memory, and Innovation in Elderly Care

Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself and your interests outside of work?

I am a 34-year-old practical nurse living in Tampere with my spouse. In addition to my full-time job, I also work part-time as a merchandise salesperson at Backstage Rock Shop. This essentially means that I sell band merchandise at festivals, for example. I love music, baking, knitting, nature, and deadlift. In my free time, you can find me knitting on the couch, listening to live music, or training at TFW Mansa.

Could you tell us briefly about your background as a practical nurse and what drew you to elderly care?

I graduated as a practical nurse over eight years ago and have spent most of my career with the same employer (formerly the City of Tampere, now Pirha). I have primarily worked in the elderly care sector because I feel it is my calling. It is an honor to care for individuals in the later stages of their lives with dignity and to listen to their life stories.

What inspired you to create this transportable music kit for elderly care and people with cognitive impairments?

The idea originated when we were listening to music with residents and singing together. The residents clapped their hands on the table to the rhythm of the music, and I thought that there would be a need for such a music kit. The residents have also requested instruments themselves, as, for example, our group home does not have any.

How do you envision care staff using this kit in their daily work with elderly residents?

The music kit is user-friendly, making its adoption very easy. My thought is that when there is, for example, a 15-minute break in the care home, the kit can be brought out and used for some musical activities! The kit also includes tips and instructions for using the instruments, so the caregiver just needs to follow the guidelines, and the music session is ready. One of the key factors in my idea is ease of use.

What potential benefits do you see this music kit bringing to elderly care, particularly for people with dementia?

The music kit lowers the barrier to creating music, fosters a sense of community, and improves motor skills. I believe that the kit can reveal new sides of people as residents get to express themselves. In the best case, it can even revive an old or new hobby of playing instruments! I also hope that the music kit will raise awareness of the benefits of music and playing instruments, and the potential of music, especially in the care of those with memory impairments.

What does winning the QSNA mean to you personally and professionally?

Winning the competition has been incredible both personally and professionally. The victory has boosted my professional self-esteem and reinforced the idea that I am on the right path. The win is a great honor, and I can't wait to see what the future holds!

What are your expectations for your year as a QSNA winner?

I have already experienced amazing things, and it is only January! Therefore, I predict the rest of the year will be just as dynamic, interesting, growth-oriented, exciting, and fulfilling. I hope that my music kit will be ready by the end of the year and that I can start making it available to those with memory impairments.

What advice would you give to other healthcare professionals who want to innovate in elderly care?

There are still many shortcomings and things stuck in outdated practices in nursing homes. Keep your eyes and ears open, question things to an appropriate extent, be curious, and believe in yourself and your professional skills. Courageously start generating new ideas; some of them may revolutionize the care of those with memory impairments in the future!