Music Therapy and End of Life Care

Music Therapy is the use of music to attain non-musical goals. Where a physical therapist will use balls and bars, I use music as my tool to facilitate change. The goals reached through music therapy are typically social, physical, or cognitive. Research in Music Therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas: increasing motivation and engagement in treatment, relaxation and pain management, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an expressive outlet.

Why is Music Therapy especially therapeutic at the ends of our lives?

Music is a very basic human response, spanning all degrees of ability. Music therapists are able to meet a client wherever he is and help him to grow from there.

Music forms the basis for some of our deepest feelings and most treasured memories. A trained, board certified music therapist works with clients to provide closure, build feelings of meaningfulness, and connect with their loved ones.

What goals can my loved one meet through Music Therapy?

Music therapy can be effective in addressing many typical end of life realities.

I've worked in end-of-life hospice care for three years. One patient, in her last days of life, was consumed by dementia. She did not remember her children and could do nothing to care for herself. In the six months I worked with her, one beautiful session stands out. I played a Johnny Cash song for her, and she immediately came into the present and told a story about being at a concert with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley, when she was 14 years old. Her son (who was present for this session) told me he had never heard this story and was delighted that he could be there to witness her moment of clarity. Many times, after a preferred piece of music was played, she would briefly show alertness and awareness of her surroundings and tell stories or speak with her children. After her death, the family asked me to play her favorite songs at her funeral. What an honor to play "Ring of Fire" for the her family and see their smiles at the memory of Mom at her best.

Health Goals:

- Pain Management
- Anxiety Reduction
- Quality of Life Improvement
- Alleviates terminal agitation/restlessness
- Decrease nausea/vomiting

Legacy Goals:

- Planning memorial services with music
- Leaving legacy through musical gifts (song collage, patient written songs, etc.)

Emotional Goals:

- Anxiety reduction
- Increased quality of life
- Expression of feelings and emotions (both verbally and nonverbally)
- Facilitate feelings of personal meaningfulness
- Alleviation of terminal agitation/restlessness
- Decrease emotional distress
- Decrease feelings of isolation/rejection
- Increase feelings of closeness, acceptance, and intimacy
- Increase range of coping mechanisms
- Gain a sense of spiritual support
- Increase self esteem/self acceptance
- Regain a sense of control

Family Goals:

An individual’s growth through music therapy can improve the quality of life for the whole family. The shared, equalizing experience of making music together can improve family cohesiveness, support, and coping skills.

- Decrease feelings of isolation
- Assist family members/loved ones in their interaction with the patient
- Provide bereavement follow up

How can I get started?

When you're ready, you can contact me to set up an appointment. Typically our first meeting is a no-cost consultation where we discuss your loved one's condition, the goals you'd like him or her to pursue through music therapy, and get a sense for who I am as a therapist.

If you're not ready to call yet, I've compiled much more information about Music Therapy that you can review from the navigation bar on the left. I'd recommend starting with What to Expect from a Music Therapist, and the more detailed Music Therapy and Hospice or Music Therapy and Alzheimer's pages.

Is There Research to Support Music Therapy for End of Life Care?

Yes! You can find extensive research through peer-reviewed journals. The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) maintains a research bibliography of select articles and publications for those interested in specific research examples. There are also two peer-reviewed journals within the profession: the Journal of Music Therapy, and Music Therapy Perspectives.

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