MDS 3.0 Item F0800M: Staff Assessment - Listening to Music

Introduction

Purpose: Music is a powerful tool that can evoke memories, provide comfort, and offer enjoyment for residents in long-term care settings. MDS Item F0800M assesses whether staff conducted an assessment to determine the resident’s preference for listening to music, especially when the resident cannot express this preference themselves. Music can play an important role in enhancing the emotional well-being and cognitive engagement of residents, making this assessment a key part of providing person-centered care.

What is MDS Item F0800M?

Explanation: MDS Item F0800M is part of Section F: Preferences for Customary Routine and Activities. This item evaluates whether the staff assessed the resident’s preference for listening to music when the resident cannot communicate this preference. Music can be a critical part of a resident’s daily routine, whether it’s for relaxation, stimulation, or emotional expression. Conducting this assessment ensures that the resident’s personal interest in music is respected and incorporated into their care plan.

Guidelines for Conducting and Coding MDS Item F0800M

Conducting the Staff Assessment: When a resident is unable to communicate their preference for listening to music, staff should assess this interest based on family input, past behavior, or observations. Considerations include:

• Has the resident previously expressed a preference for certain types of music (e.g., classical, jazz, country)?
• Does the resident respond positively to music during activities or therapy sessions?
• Have family members or caregivers indicated the resident’s past enjoyment of music or participation in musical activities?

This assessment ensures that the resident’s music preferences are respected and included in their daily routine, contributing to their emotional and cognitive well-being.

Coding Instructions: The coding for MDS Item F0800M depends on whether staff conducted an assessment to determine the resident’s preference for listening to music. The coding options are:

• 0 - No: No staff assessment was conducted to determine the resident’s preference for listening to music.
• 1 - Yes: A staff assessment was conducted to determine the resident’s preference for listening to music.

Example Scenario: If a resident cannot express their preference, and staff assess, based on family input and past behavior, that the resident enjoys listening to classical music every evening, you would code F0800M as 1 - Yes. If no assessment was conducted to determine the resident’s musical preferences, you would code F0800M as 0 - No.

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Comprehensive Assessment: Ensure that the staff assessment includes input from family members or caregivers, past behaviors, and observations of the resident’s response to music. This thorough assessment helps determine whether music should be part of the resident’s daily routine, enhancing their overall well-being.

Documentation: Document the sources of information used to assess the resident’s preference for listening to music, such as family interviews, observations, or past records. Clear documentation ensures that the resident’s musical interests are consistently respected over time.

Communication: Share the results of the staff assessment with the interdisciplinary care team to ensure that the resident’s preference for listening to music is incorporated into their care plan. Providing access to the resident’s preferred type of music helps maintain their emotional and cognitive engagement.

Training: Train staff to recognize how music can positively impact residents, especially those with cognitive impairments or emotional needs. Encouraging staff to play music that resonates with the resident can enhance their mood and overall satisfaction.

Conclusion

Summary: MDS Item F0800M is important for assessing whether residents who cannot communicate their preference for listening to music still have their interest respected. Conducting a staff assessment ensures that the resident’s musical preferences are reflected in their daily care plan, contributing to their emotional and cognitive well-being.

Click here to see a detailed Step-by-Step on how to complete this item set.

Reference

This guide is based on the CMS's Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024, Page F-5.

Disclaimer

Please note that the information provided in this guide for MDS 3.0 Item F0800M: "Staff Assessment - Listening to Music" was originally based on the CMS's Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024. Every effort will be made to update it to the most current version. The MDS 3.0 Manual is typically updated every October. If there are no changes to the Item Set, there will be no changes to this guide.

This guidance is intended to assist healthcare professionals, particularly new nurses or MDS coordinators, in understanding and applying the correct coding procedures for this specific item within MDS 3.0. Additionally, this guide refrains from handling personal patient data and does not provide medical or legal advice.