Hospice Music Therapy In Pleasanton City, California
Music therapy encompasses much more than musical activities at a nursing home or hospice institution. It is a board-certified music therapist’s clinical and evidence-based use of music intervention. It evaluates the patient’s abilities and needs. It develops a therapy plan that may include making, singing, dancing to and listening to live, patient-preferred music during individual, group and family sessions.
Because music is non-threatening, pleasurable and promotes brain function, it can help people of all ages, backgrounds and skills. Music therapy can work in conjunction with other healing modalities to address hospice patients’ physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs when delivered to those nearing the end of life. There are some patients for whom music therapy is inappropriate but even in those who are otherwise unresponsive, it can be surprisingly effective.
Music has a long and distinguished history of healing and well-being applications due to its immense power as a form of art. As a result of music’s ability to cut over all of these divides and promote general well-being. Music is one of the therapeutic art forms used in hospice settings to improve holistic well-being in patients, families, caregivers and the bereaved
Music Therapy's History
Music has a long history of enhancing spiritual wellness and as a therapeutic tool in healing techniques. Music has been acknowledged for its therapeutic powers dating back to 500 B.C., during the time of the ancient Grecians. Renowned thinkers of this age, including Plato, Pythagoras and Aristotle, acknowledged music’s profound effect on an individual’s total well-being. According to Plato, “music is an art endowed with the capacity to touch the very depths of the soul.”
The Enduring Power Of Music
It’s hard to imagine a world without music now that it’s become so interwoven in our daily lives. Ancient musical instruments carved from bone were discovered between 43,000 and 60,000 years ago, yet no one knows for sure how long music has been a part of human existence. However, the first musical instruments were likely our voices and hands. We have long recognized music’s ability to improve our lives and facilitate physical, emotional and spiritual healing. It’s no secret that music is an important part of the highs and lows of life. Music’s ability to provide serenity and comfort during our final journey through life might be crucial not only for the dying but also for their loved ones. According to studies on the use of music in hospice and palliative care, patients, families and staff all benefit from it after only one session, even if it is brief. Anxiety, stress and discomfort can all be relieved by listening to music. Additionally, it assists patients in slowing and deepening their breath.
Today, a major effort is underway to incorporate alternative therapies into hospice and palliative care. As a result, music has grown more acceptable and utilized in various settings.
What Is Music Therapy's Purpose In Hospice Care?
The objectives of music therapy in hospice care are very dependent on the objectives specified for each patient. A patient’s objectives may include the following:
- Support emotionally, anxiety reduction, life evaluation and mood elevation
- Efforts to alleviate loneliness and isolation and to provide social assistance
- Relaxation and comfort, passive listening that may be augmented with guided imagery, all of which assist patients in remaining more attentive and present.
- Physical assistance, pain and symptom management assistance and relaxing individuals who may be restless or agitated
What Is Music Therapy & How Does It Work?
Music therapists are well-versed in the emotional benefits that music may provide for their patients. When working with a patient, music therapists first assess whether or not music therapy is appropriate. Music therapists are well-versed in the emotional benefits that can be reaped from using music therapy.
Music therapists use a variety of musical skills and expertise to determine each patient’s specific therapeutic needs. They come up with a personalized strategy to help their clients unwind and feel comfortable.
What Music Therapy Techniques Are Used?
Music therapists who deal with hospice and palliative care patients employ a variety of therapy strategies, including the following:
- Singing
- Songwriting
- Music and guided imagery
- Analyses of lyrics
- Legacy and life-reviewing initiatives
- Instruments
Who Is for Music Therapy?
Music therapists have experience evaluating individuals who may benefit from music therapy. Not all patients desire music therapy. Patients who benefit the most from the treatment may require additional assistance in one of the following areas:
- Socioeconomic (isolation and loneliness)
- Psychological (depression and anxiety)
- Physique (pain and symptom management)
- Mental faculties (disorientation and confusion)
Promoting Relaxation & Peace
Once a board-certified music therapist has evaluated the patient and recommended music therapy as a good fit, the patient and family can begin to enjoy the myriad benefits music therapy has to offer. At Melodia Care Hospice, music therapy enables our patients to experience moments of joy and calm and recall happy memories from their lives.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate For Hospice Music Therapy?
Patients who gain the most from music therapy are those who:
- There is a shortage of social connection and sensory stimulation.
- Suffer from chronic pain and symptoms that are difficult to manage with conventional medical interventions
- Feeling nervous or afflicted with dementia.
- Seek a concrete method of coping or of defining or articulating feelings or thoughts.
- Face communication difficulties as a result of physical or intellectual disabilities
- Spiritual assistance is required, which may involve other family members.
- Take pleasure in music to improve their quality of life or to keep their dignity.
What Methods Are Employed In Music Therapy?
Music therapists utilize a broad range of musical exercises and interventions. For instance, the therapist and patient may collaborate on songs to assist convey sentiments; a patient may learn to play the piano to enhance fine motor skills or cope with unsaid emotions by learning to play musical instruments.
What Is The Distinction Between Palliative Care And Hospice Care?
Palliative care is concerned with reducing the pain, anxiety and tension associated with cancer or another serious illness. Palliative treatment does not address the underlying cause of the disease. Palliative care’s objective is to maximize a patient’s comfort. Hospice care, like palliative care, focuses on relieving pain and increasing quality of life. However, unlike palliative care, hospice care does not attempt to cure the condition.
Nonetheless, there are significant distinctions between the two. Hospice care is intended for individuals approaching the end of their lives, often within six months left. Palliative care is for anyone who requires assistance managing physical pain and the stress as well as anxiety associated with a serious disease. It is administered along with active illness treatment. Both hospice and palliative care can be provided in a hospital or clinic setting or the patient’s home.
Music therapy is one of the numerous therapies given by the Melodia Care Hospice. Music therapy employs a variety of musical styles to help patients and families find serenity, comfort and overall well-being. The intentional use of music, together with the relationship developed between patient and therapist, aids patients in processing, coping with and comprehending their current situations.
The Melodia Care hospice care teams utilize music therapy as a key tool in assisting our patients in retaining dignity and control at the end of life. Music therapy makes use of music to assist a person in relieving physical and emotional distress. It may also enhance the bereavement process by assisting the patient’s loved ones in managing their grief before and after their death.
Sessions conducted by board-certified music therapists with the MT-BC qualification are the most beneficial. Board-certified therapists adhere to the most current professional standards and must retain the therapeutic skills and abilities necessary to treat patients successfully and professionally.
The music therapist uses music as a trigger for sharing experiences and processing life changes during these unique encounters with hospice patients. This is why music therapy is beneficial when working with people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
There is no such thing as a typical music therapy session. Because each patient is unique, each session is tailored to the patient’s specific needs and abilities. Composing a new song, singing old classics or creating new music with an instrument may be part of the session. Music is utilized to promote wellness in specific body areas, such as mental, physical, spiritual, emotional or cognitive functioning.
Occasionally, music therapy does not require the patient to participate actively. A patient may choose to sit and listen to the music provided by the therapist as a means of relaxing, establishing a normal breathing rate or alleviating restlessness. A music therapy session can be active or passive, depending on the patient’s skills, but the patient can still participate and benefit from the therapy.
You can reach us at any time by contacting us through our 24/7 online customer support chat or by calling 1-888 635-6347 (MELODI-7) & Melodia Care Hospice.