Who is the best interdisciplinary team member to assign to assist the resident to music therapy?

In an interdisciplinary team, each member has specific roles and expertise that contribute to the overall care plan of a resident. In the context of music therapy, the best choice for assisting a resident would be an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).

UAPs are typically trained to provide direct support to residents, focusing on their basic needs and enhancing their quality of life through various activities. They are often involved in facilitating recreational activities, which includes music therapy, where the focus is on engagement and emotional support rather than clinical assessment or intervention. UAPs can help residents participate in music therapy sessions by setting up the environment, ensuring comfort, and providing encouragement during the activity.

In contrast, while registered nurses, occupational therapists, and physical therapists each play crucial roles in a skilled care unit, their responsibilities are more aligned with direct medical care, rehabilitation, and therapeutic intervention rather than facilitating specific recreational activities like music therapy. An RN would focus on medication administration, health monitoring, and care plans. An OT would focus on rehabilitation strategies related to daily living skills, and a PT would concentrate on physical rehabilitation. Therefore, their expertise is not as tailored to supporting music therapy sessions directly, making the UAP the most appropriate choice for this role.