Often, the hospice’s patients come from a diverse range of social, ethnic, religious and familial origins. Each patient comes as an individual with strengths and needs that transcend a diagnosis or set of symptoms. The music therapist evaluates the needs of the patient and of the family by collecting familial, medical, musical and other history, collecting information from collateral sources, meeting patients, monitoring patients and talking to families. Ideally, the music therapist creates, in partnership with the patient and hospice team, treatment goals and the most effective manner of achieving them.

Music therapists in hospice care are particularly concerned with psychosocial difficulties, as well as spiritual and physical requirements. Even in the absence of verbal communication, music therapy can help alleviate feelings of isolation and provide a sense of familiarity and comfort. It can assist someone in maintaining a sense of control over the majority of musical parts of the session through decision-making. Music’s associations and sentiments can aid in recollection and life assessment. Music has the ability to connect people to their history, faith and psyche. It has the ability to contact a person on a profound and extremely individual level, while yet transcending differences and arousing a sense of universality.