Hospice care, or end of life care, occurs when a person reaches a point where the end of their life is near and the family and individual have decided that they are ready for those final days. It’s a poignant time in life for all involved, and while it is often enveloped in a great sadness to know someone you love will soon not be here physically anymore, it can also often be a time of quiet appreciation and memorable moments as those final days draw near.
The Benefits of Music Therapy
While your loved one is receiving end of life care, there are many tools and techniques you can use to make her transition out of this world easier. Those who are in hospice care often experience a lot of physical, emotional, and even spiritual symptoms that can be unpleasant. Using music to help them manage those symptoms is just one way to provide relief for your loved one.
Music can help your loved one relax. If your loved one is feeling anxious or stressed, music can help her find relief from those emotions by transporting her to another time or by offering soothing sounds that let her muscles and mind relax.
Music can boost your loved one’s mood. A favorite song from high school or even a tune that is associated with a movie your loved one enjoys can boost her mood when she hears it. It can be a funny song sung by family members, a sweet song sung by a grandchild, or a rocking song blasted nice and loud from the radio. Find what makes your loved one happy and play it (or sing it) often.
Music can provide pain relief. Music can be a good distraction for someone who is in constant pain, taking her mind off the pain for a while as she enjoys her favorite songs or compositions.
Music builds bridges. Sometimes it can be difficult for visiting family members to know what to say or how to approach a conversation with your loved one receiving end-of-life care. By sharing memories related to a song, or simply sitting by the person and listening along, music provides that comfortable place where both people can connect.
How to Integrate Music into Your Loved One’s End-of-Life Care
While the easy answer is to simply find a device to play your loved one’s music on, such as a laptop, stereo, or even a phone, don’t forget about some other enjoyable ways to add music to your loved one’s day.
Have someone visit who plays a musical instrument. It doesn’t have to be a professional musician. In fact, many hospice patients love to hear grandchildren and family members play a song on a guitar or piano for them. It doesn’t need to be perfect for your loved one to thoroughly enjoy it.
Sing songs to your loved one. Again, you don’t need a perfect voice for this. Singing a song that has bonded the two of you through life can be a wonderful way to connect.
Use music during therapy. If your loved one is receiving massage or another form of therapy to help her manage pain levels, consider adding music to that therapy time to increase the benefits that the therapy will have for her.
If music was a large part of your loved one’s life, make sure it’s a part of her end of life care as well.
If you or an aging loved one are considering End of Life Care in Lewisville, TX, please contact the caring staff at Arcy Healthcare today at (469) 293-1515
Providing In-Home Healthcare Services in North Texas, including Dallas, Hurst, Grapevine, Keller, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Denton, Flower Mound, Carrollton, Gainesville, and more.
My name is Jimmie Stapleton. I am the founder and CEO of Arcy Healthcare. Arcy Healthcare includes Arcy Hospice, Arcy Supportive Care, Arcy Home Health and Arcy at Home.
Arcy Hospice was opened in 2007 to provide care and support for individuals and families facing a life limiting illness. It was established after my wife Ellen, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, had completed her chemo and radiation therapies. At that time, things were looking positive, and we wanted to do something for our community that had been so supportive of our family during her treatments. Unfortunately, the cancer returned a few years later, and she subsequently passed away under our care in 2010.
In the years that followed, I began to see the need to provide the same level of excellent care to patients across the continuum of care. Therefore, we have added a home health division (Arcy Home Health), a palliative care division (Arcy Supportive Care), and a home care division, (Arcy at Home). With the addition of these divisions, we can meet most of the post-acute care needs for you and your family in your home.
I started Arcy Hospice with my wife as my motivation to provide exceptional care and support in the patient’s home, where they are surrounded by family and where they feel most comfortable. I’m proud to say that our staff provides some of the best in home care in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.
Please let us know if we can enrich the quality of life for you or a loved one.
Sincerely,
Jimmie Stapleton – Founder and CEO
Arcy Healthcare
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