Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care believes strongly that our patients and their families are the true experts in their own care. That is why from day one of our care for them we offer them creative care solutions like music therapy.
Recently, Seasons was honored to participate in the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s “Moments of Life” campaign, focusing on the joyous moments in our patients’ lives that are made possible by hospice care service. The campaign aims to educate communities who may be unfamiliar with hospice care what it actually looks like and shatter any preconceived notions that hospice is about “giving up.”
As the largest employer of board certified music therapists in the world, Seasons knows firsthand the unique value that music therapy has for our patients, making it a perfect focus for our “Moments of Life” video.
“Mr. Gregg: the Life of the Party” follows Robert Gregg, a Seasons Hospice patient suffering from memory loss and agitation due to advanced illness. Music therapy has helped restore some of the lighter and more cheerful aspects of Mr. Gregg’s personality and has been a critical therapeutic component of his care.
Music therapy was introduced into Mr. Gregg’s care after a hospice aide realized he was responding positively to the songs she would sing to him. Sara Harris, Board Certified Music Therapist, was brought in to Mr. Gregg’s home to provide music therapy sessions as a part of his hospice care plan. During her visits she offers a reassuring tempo that allows Mr. Gregg to adjust his breathing to ease physical pain and reduce anxiety. In the video, Mr. Gregg sings along with Sara, claps his hands, and has a broad smile on his face.
Music therapy has also had a positive impact on Mr. Gregg’s wife Jackie and even the Gregg’s neighbors, who come over to dance, sing and converse with Jackie. During his music therapy sessions, Mr. Gregg moves his shoulders and toes and for a few minutes, it feels like old times for the Greggs.
“Music bridges a gap between their reality and our reality,” says Harris. “And for families who may have not seen their loved ones speak or sing for the past few years, it’s just absolutely priceless.”
“As a musician, I believe in the power of music to transcend words and connect people,” says NHPCO President and CEO Edo Banach. “Music therapists help provide physical and emotional peace to patients and families at the end of life.”
Seasons hopes that by participating in the Moments of Life: Made Possible by Hospice public awareness campaign and sharing the stories of our patients, we will help families understand the value that hospice has to those no longer seeking curative treatments when nearing the end of life.
About Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care
Founded in 1997, Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care is the largest privately owned hospice provider in the nation. Seasons offers high-quality compassionate care in 19 states. Medicare-certified programs and 18 Hospice Inpatient Centers. In 2016, Seasons caregivers served more than 30,000 patients. For more information, visit www.seasons.org.
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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/16854bff-0012-4df5-9154-1dc25e3fd0a9