Using Music to Provide Harmony at the End of Life

Photo credit Sergia Capzzimati ...How Music Influences the End-of-Life Experience: When someone you love is terminally ill, there are many complex emotions involved. The instinct to nurture and comfort them is intense, but it can be difficult to know what is appropriate to say or do. End-of-life care and support are very different from the daily care that family members previously provided. In many cases, busy days of preparing meals, providing medications and chauffeuring between doctor’s appointments are replaced with comfort care and bedside vigils. This is one of the many reasons Franz feels that this very special application of music is helpful to people who are terminally ill or dying. “It provides a space and time in which people can rest into their own processes without the necessity of words. This allows patients and caregivers alike to relax,” she explains. “The result of this for the patient often manifests as lowered respiration rates, more stable heart rates, less anxiety and agitation, and often sleep that has previously eluded them. The music vigil also... Continue reading on Agingcare for more discussion about how music can help our loved ones in transition: Shop Silverts Adaptable clothing: Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. “I hold onto your book as a life preserver and am reading it slowly on purpose...I don't want it to end.” ...Craig William Dayton, Film Composer         ...
Source: Minding Our Elders - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Source Type: blogs