Music Engagement

Supporting Loved Ones with Musical Engagement

St. Elizabeth Hospice partners with local musicians and volunteers to bring music to our Hospice patients. This includes the Northern Kentucky Threshold Singers, who provide peaceful melodies that assist with the final transition in end-of-life. Patients and their loved ones have the options to play, listen to, or create their own music that will provide emotional, sensory and spiritual support during their journey. Listening to music has proved to be especially beneficial for many Hospice patients, especially those who are experiencing Dementia. Musical engagement can help provide patients assistance with association and agitation management in end-of-life.

Association

“Each individual had a musical identity that was often closely linked to life events, personal and cultural identity, and a particular era (e.g. post-war). Recognition of familiar music was considered emotionally meaningful particularly for people in late stages of dementia.”
~ Mcdermott, Orrell, & Ridder, 2014

Selections from the individual’s young adult years – ages 18 to 25 – are most likely to have the strongest responses and the most potential for engagement.

However, unfamiliar music can also be beneficial because it carries no memories or emotions. This may be the best choice when developing new responses, such as physical relaxation designed to manage stress or enhance sleep.

Agitation Management

Non-verbal individuals in late dementia often become agitated out of frustration and sensory overload from the inability to process environmental stimuli. Engaging them in singing, rhythm playing, dancing, physical exercise and other structured music activities can diffuse this behavior and redirect their attention.

These services can include, singing at the bedside of a patient, as well as playing, listen to, or creating their own music that will provide emotional, sensory and spiritual support.