Hospice Music Therapy Services

Music Therapy Services at End of Life

As a music therapist Christian has over 10 years of experience working with people at the end of their lives.

Music therapy offers many benefits to those in hospice.

Music therapy can:

Reduce feelings of pain or symptoms such as shortness of breath
Elevate the mood
Reduce feelings of anxiety, restlessness, isolation, and agitation
Reduce need for medications for pain, symptoms, anxiety, and depression
Offer spiritual, emotional, and grief support
Reduce need for other psychological interventions
Create a feeling of overall well being
Provide support to family and loved ones of the client
Create quality shared experiences with client and family of all ages
Offer aesthetic experience
Assist in the final stages and transition to the next world
Research is beginning to show that with hospice clients who receive music therapy, overall medical expenses are reduced

* research references available on request

The Music Therapy Experience

Music Therapy makes a difference during all stages of the dying process. It can help when a person is more up and active, or in the final days or hours. It is often said that hearing is the “last thing to go”, and quite often this is true. The music therapy experience for those at end of life will vary and is individualized to meet the needs of the person on each visit. Sessions can work if a person feels active or has very low energy- the experience is customized with each visit. Music therapy services are client-centered, and meet a person where they are with each visit. A person need not be a musician or "musical person" in order to benefit from music therapy.

Sessions may include: Music listening, singing, playing instruments, guided imagery and meditation, music-assisted relaxation exercises, spiritual support based on each client’s belief system, grief support and counseling, intergenerational family sessions, and other specialized music therapy interventions.

Many styles of music are used in music therapy. Christian and therapists he works with are proficient in many styles and instruments:

Folk & Old-time music
Classic Country
Popular music from 1900’s-1980’s (some current music)
Spiritual Music and/or Hymns
Jazz & Big Band
Classical
Rock & Roll from Elvis, to the Beatles, to U2
Ethnic and cultural music
Special Healing, Meditation & Relaxation music
Many more and I'm always willing to learn new music- just ask!

Instruments Christian plays include: Guitars, Voice, Native American and other Ethnic Flutes, Reverie Harp, Ukulele, Percussion, Keyboard, and others.

Music Therapy can be very beneficial to people of all ages at the end of life. Music brings memories and allows for reminiscence and life review as a way to help find life meaning- even for those with advanced dementia. It is a vehicle for emotional expression. It can soothe pain, anxiety, agitation, and bring comfort to an otherwise uncomfortable time. It can provide emotional and spiritual support. It can also provide positive interaction for those with cognitive challenges and their loved ones. It can support the needs of the entire family, not just the client. As a holistic treatment, it focuses on the needs of the whole person, not just the disease or condition.

Click here to read Hospice Music Therapy Stories

Please contact us with any questions you may have.

The music you should be hearing in the background is all performed by Christian Nielsen. To hear more of his music, or order recordings, feel free to browse the entire web-site.