West Music Staff Blogs

As a music therapist who works in hospice, I am fortunate to see what a powerful tool music can be, and sometimes it is all about being in the right place at the right time. Recently, I was fortunate to experience this and see how music can be a powerful tool for our patients as well as the family.

Sometimes, I see individuals who I am told are unresponsive. Typically, in these types of sessions music can be used as a tool to help relax the client and bring comfort during the dying process. Music is also a powerful tool for the family members who are present who can choose to honor their loved one with a special song, or who prefer just to listen to the music rather than the monitors, which beep.

Recently, I received a call about Jack, who's family had requested music therapy services. I was told that he was unresponsive and that music was requested for comfort. As I entered the room, I was greeted by Jack's family who welcomed the offer of music, though they cautioned that Jack may not overtly respond to the music. Based on their recommendations of music Jack would enjoy, I began to play at bedside, occasionally singing familiar songs and humming with the guitar.

As I started to play Tennessee Waltz, I notice a change in Jack's breathing and he began to open one of his eyes. Continuing to play, I watched as Jack opened both of his eyes. The family in the room gathered around Jack to hold his hands and let him know he was not alone. For the family from out of town, this was the first time in their visit that Jack had been awake, so they were able to interact with Jack in a way that was not possible previously.

Was it the music? Was it just good timing? There is no way to know. What I do know is that by being in that room, at that time, I was able to do some good. Jack acknowledged that he could hear the music, and the family were able to spend some quality time with their loved one. Music was used to normalize the medical environment.

For both Jack and his family, music provided a sense of comfort in their time of need.