Music in hospice care

Music therapy has a beneficial effect on the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs of hospice patients and their families. Music therapy happens in long-term care facilities, in-patient hospices, and private homes.

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Nearly two-thirds of hospices and home-health agencies in the U.S. offer music therapy, a research-informed therapy that works within the client’s interdisciplinary team.

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While music therapy can provide comfort to a hospice client, even helping to ease pain and discomfort, the therapy also can facilitate family communication, relationship completion, and social interaction through creative means. 

 

The therapy can provide clients and their families an alternative opportunity for processing emotions related to death and dying or bereavement. In this way, music therapy facilitates avenues for spiritual expression and support.