Music Therapy In Hospice Care
The use of music as a soothing tool is ancient, but the earliest references to music as a medical therapy were cited in the 18th century. Since then, schools, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and hospice agencies have used music therapy to help soothe, calm, and restore their patients.
According to the American Music Therapy Association (musictherapy.org), music therapy is a research-informed service that uses music interventions to meet the psychosocial and physical needs of hospice patients.
If you or your loved one appreciate music or use it as a tool for focus, relaxation, or emotional processing, speak to your hospice agency and see if their volunteers offer music therapy as an option. If you are in the process of choosing a hospice care provider, ask whether music therapy is an offering.
Studies Show Music Therapy Is Effective In Hospice Care
Studies show that music that appeals to the listener can have remarkable physical and emotional effects, including lowered blood pressure and heart rate, pain management (palliative care), decreased anxiety or depression, calmer breathing, and improved quality of life (NCCIH).
Many hospice patients become homebound and then housebound, limiting their connection with their community and making it harder to focus on anything other than their pain, fear, discomfort, and loss of autonomy. Regular music therapy is a beautiful and natural way to provide invaluable comfort and support.
Music Therapy In A Hospice Setting
Music therapy can take many forms in a hospice setting; it doesn’t have to be hospice-led. That said, many hospice agencies have a vast network of community and regional musicians who enjoy volunteering their time to play or sing for our clients, so you may find that going through a hospice agency connects you with musicians you may not have been able to access otherwise.
You can have music therapy wherever you are
You can request music therapy in any setting where hospice services are provided, whether in a hospital or nursing home setting, a hospice house, or a home hospice environment. Depending on the availability of the volunteers or organizations offering music therapy, you may have it as often as once per week or on a bi-monthly or monthly basis.
Hospice volunteers often provide music therapy
Sometimes, music therapy happens via our own crew of amazing hospice volunteers. Anyone who graduates from our rigorous hospice volunteer training program provides a list of their talents, interests, and hobbies.
Many musicians or singers love to play or sing for our clients. Or, some volunteers are music aficionados of a specific genre or just plain love music. In that case, they’re happy to visit clients once a week and bring a playlist of requested or suggested songs. They can quietly (or not!) listen to music together, which brings great comfort and solace to clients.
We coordinate with local professional musicians
Similarly, many professional musicians know hospice agencies offer music therapy and connect with us. We have everything from professional singers and traditional instrumentalists to musicians who can bring their harp, indigenous flutes, percussion instruments, and more.
Families also benefit from music therapy
Hospice isn’t just for the client. We spend a lot of time reminding our client families and the public that hospice is for the family too! Our team is here to support the client, their primary caregivers, and their families. Music therapy is a wonderful example of that.
When you or your loved one schedule music therapy, whether it is a small acapella singing group or a solo musician, you’re welcome to invite your family to be there too. It can provide an incredibly moving experience as everyone gathers, connects, relaxes into the moment, and enjoys beautiful music together in the same space.
Create your own music therapy playlist
While hospice agencies and volunteers do their best to provide music therapy, we also recommend that individuals or families create their music therapy playlists. Live music is hard to beat, but if music therapy yields benefits like pain management, reduced anxiety or depression, and calmer breathing or resting, take advantage of that.
If your loved one is still responsive and able to communicate, ask them what songs or sounds provide the most relaxation or pleasure and add those to the playlist. If they are non-responsive, pay attention to their body language and breathing rhythms if they are non-responsive. Look for signs of relaxation or relief (slower breathing, relaxed muscles, less fidgeting, smiles, attempting to sing or hum along, etc). Your hospice nurses and care team can also help you watch for signs that certain pieces or sounds (nature, rain, birds, etc.) have a positive impact.
Music can also be part of the end-of-life plan
Anyone working in the worlds of birth and death honors the parallels of these sacred transformations. Just as pregnant women create birth plans, many hospice patients like to make end-of-life plans that outline their wishes for when they’re dying and may not be able to express themselves or for their memorial or celebration of life.
Music can play a role in this realm as well. Some of our clients put together playlists of music they want to play in the background when they are alone or actively dying. Some of these songs (or others) may also be a part of their memorial plans.
Ask Hospice of the Golden Isles About Our Music Therapy Program
Would you like to incorporate music therapy into your hospice care plans? Contact Hospice of the Golden Isles. We have an incredible network of hospice volunteers, including musicians who provide music therapy. It would be our honor to help make your hospice experience as comfortable and peaceful as possible.