Music Therapy
Comfort, connection and meaning through music
Our music therapy program uses the power of music to ease symptoms, lift spirits and help patients and families share what matters most.
What Is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is the clinical, evidence-based use of music to support each person's individual goals. It is guided by a credentialed professional who builds a caring relationship with the patient and family.
In hospice, our music therapists look after physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. Sessions are gentle and creative, and they meet people where they are.
How Music Therapy Can Help
Pain
Music can shift attention away from pain, which helps many people feel more comfortable.
Agitation
Music therapists adjust the volume, tempo and tone of music to guide a person toward a calmer state and help reduce restlessness.
Anxiety
Relaxation music and guided imagery can ease worry. Sessions are shaped around each person's choices and comfort.
Breathing comfort
Music therapists observe breathing and can use music that follows a person's natural rhythm to encourage easier, calmer breaths.
Coping
Music gives people a way to express complex feelings that can surface at the end of life. Through singing, songwriting and conversation about lyrics, patients and families find comfort together.
Grief care
Music therapists work closely with families to ease caregiver strain and support a healthy grief journey. Legacy projects give families a creative way to stay connected and find closure.
What a Music Therapy Session May Include
When music therapy is part of a care plan, a music therapist meets the patient and designs a program around their needs and favorite music. Sessions may include:
- Playing instruments or singing favorite songs
- Music-assisted relaxation and guided imagery
- Songwriting and talking about lyrics
- Gentle movement to music
- Legacy projects, such as heartbeat recordings, audio and video recordings, songs recorded for the family and legacy letters
A Way to Share Feelings and Memories
Music can reach people in ways words sometimes cannot. For many patients, especially those living with memory loss, a familiar song opens the door to conversation, laughter and closeness with the people they love.
Credentialed, Caring Professionals
Our music therapists are board-certified (MT-BC). They have completed a bachelor's degree in music therapy, including clinical practice in varied settings and at least 1,200 hours of clinical training, and they keep learning through required continuing education.
Made Possible by Generosity
Depending on your area, music therapy is available thanks to generous donors who support our four local foundations.
