at Buena Vista Hospice
Buena Vista Hospice seeks to offer families the tools and encouragement to bring music into their Hospice experiences as they choose.
Recorded music therapy is offered by all patient care staff. CD players and music selections are provided to patients and families if they desire. Music selections that are ready to use vary from Harp, Sacred/Religious, Popular, Relaxation, Jazz, Country, Light Classical.
Special music requests music are provided when available.
Singing at Bedside and at Board and Care Facilities.
When possible our music therapist will sing at bedside for patients and families.
Our music therapist also provides music groups for the residents at our Board and Care facilities and residential placements.
Assessment of need for patient and/or family for music therapy.
Referrals generate from Patient, Family, Hospice Team, Chaplains, Physicians
Intervention of music therapy is based on a positive needs assessment, preferences, cultural style and receptivity. Offering and providing appropriate music can assist in these ways:
- As a “Bridge of Sound” during the sacred time of holding vigil and transition into death To promote Spiritual connection within the medical interventions and medications.
- By holding a sacred vibration in the room of a dying patient without others present
- To encourage emotional expression for the patient, family members and friends
- As comfort care for physical pain, emotional stress, aloneness, and/or Spiritual crisis
- To mask medical equipment noises and create a softer environment in room
- As an alternative to television or silence
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Methods of Music Therapy & Use of Video
Recorded Music, Healing Music Videos or Family Videos
Objective use of appropriate, specific or familiar recorded music is for:
- Creating a Sacred Space for the Dying Patient and Vigiling Family
- Stress Management (anxiety, loneliness, fear, grief, overwhelm)
- Sound Enrichment/Aesthetics (bring beauty/improve environment through sound)
- Mental and Emotional Stimulation and Connection (coma)
- Organizational and Familiar Stimulus for Reality Orientation (dementia, confusion)
- Emotional Expression (grief….relief)
- Guided Imagery and Music for Family Members (healing, anxiety, comfort, grief)
- Guided Imagery for Patient (pain management, transitioning into life beyond)
B. Singing or Other Live Instrumental Music
At bedside when appropriate for patients and families and for Board and Care Facilties
The Role of Music Therapy in Hospice Care
The Power of Music for Emotion Expression
Music has the power to touch the heart and express that which cannot be said in words. Music is a natural way to encourage patients and families to share memories and/or express deep feelings. Carefully selected music can elicit nostalgic scenes and create beauty and serenity. When used intentionally, music can provide the soundtrack to very powerful moments for the patient, the family, the caregivers and all whoever else is sharing together this ultimate journey.
Integrating music with supportive care of the dying is becoming more common in Hospice and Palliative Care programs. The conscious use of music as an adjunct support service is good example of how the multidisciplinary approach to hospice care seeks to address the total person and their family. Because music reaches a deep, non-rational part of the human spirit, it is ideally suited as an adjunct service that can affect feelings such as grief, fear, anxiety, sadness, and anger that stand in the way of a clear passage. Music can release blocked or painful feelings and can stimulate positive ones such as hope, love, and gratitude.
Music triggers and elicits deep emotions that long to be expressed. Acknowledging and sharing these emotions in a safe and supportive setting can help bring closure to old issues, enable reflection of powerful life events and sometimes reconciliation and forgiveness.
Family are encouraged to participate at any level they are comfortable. The value of positive reminiscing is very important to everyone in the dying and vigiling process and music encourages this naturally and powerfully.
As the patient moves closer to the time of death, when most of the physical needs are met and the patient no longer can communicate, family members and caregivers can experience a sense of helplessness. One of the most simple and powerful loving acts is to just be present at bedside or nearby with relaxing instrumental or specific favorite music selections playing softly. This is not a passive act but a very intentional way to create a beautiful and loving vibration for your loved one to transition into their next expression. |
