"Music Therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to
address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals" for
Hearts for Hospice (www.musictherapy.org, 2006). A music therapist is not
just a music performer, but actually trained in counseling and music. A
music therapist creates goals and objectives for their patients and uses
music activities and music experiences (listening, composition,
improvisation, or playing/singing a familiar song) in order to achieve those
goals.

Although music therapists work with various populations, when working in the
hospice setting, goals for music therapy may include, but are not limited
to:

• Stress management
• Pain relief
• Expression of emotion
• Reminiscence
• Life Review
• Breathing control
• Improved self-esteem
• Higher social interaction

Possible Goals and Objectives:

Goal: Pain Relief
Objective: Given the music-assisted relaxation, the patient will respond by
relating a pain level of five or less (on a scale of 1-10) following the
intervention.

Goal: Expression of concerns
Objective: Given the song “Sometimes It’s Hard“ or “the blues,“ the patient
will relate stresses that he/she is experiencing and the music therapist
will incorporate these concerns into the lyrics of the song. The patient and
music therapist will sing about these concerns together.

Goal: Reminiscence
Objective: Given familiar songs sung and played by the music therapist, the
patient will respond by relating 2 memories associated with the music.

Goal: Life Review
Objective: The patient and family will contribute memories and thoughts in
order to create the lyrics for a song composed by the music therapist.

Music therapy is for the patient as well as the caregiver and family. It is
offered as part of our service to our patients.
Who can participate?

Families and other caregivers are welcomed and encouraged to participate in
the music. Nothing is expected from the patient or family. They are simply
asked to receive the music, which may last from thirty minutes to one hour,
depending on the needs or requests of the patient or the family. The music
can support those who are exhausted with the demands of end-of-life care.

What does it cost?

There is no cost to the patient or family for this service.

How do I ask for more information?

Please contact Hearts for hospice or simply make the request to the
attending nurse, social worker or chaplain.

All our location have a Music therapy.

Utah County Program (801) 772-0243 Office
Salt Lake City Program (888) 772-0243 Toll-Free
Ogden Program (801) 475-6222 Office
Boise Program (208) 389-2276
Phoenix Program (602) 265-3333 Office