There is a movement in the pastoral care practice where music is part of complimentary medicine for patients. It started out as more of a hospice thing but I've seen it move into more than that. There's no doubt that there are benefits to it.
having had the honor of meeting and studying and practicing with a world-class group of music thanatologists in the context of hospice and hospital history
and being a lifelong musician
...i was pleased to see this article in the mainstream
Of course, allopathic medicine seems on occasion to think this is something new. Where I used to work, they made a bit of a splash with their music program, as if they had discovered it themselves. They did in fact have people who would come and play music for the dying.
A personal, and somewhat painful note: When my beloved, 87-year-old aunt was dying of complications from a massive stroke, I had Hospice bring her to my home. I arranged the living room with soft lights and spring flowers (it was April and we had a lot of daffodils and tulips). I playing soft music on my stereo. I wouldn't let anyone come in the nearby front door and when people did come to call, I made sure they spoke softly and positively. I had one TWI tape, of the quartet, because she knew one of them and like the family.
When she breathed her last, it was to Pachelbel's Canon, and me telling her the next thing she saw would be the face of Jesus Christ.
I'm so thankful I could do that for her. the soft lights, flowers, and especially music seemed to relax her somewhat.
When I had my first baby, I learned of something called a "birth plan" where the mother can list her wishes on who she wants in the room when the baby is born, how she'd like the the lighting, and if she wants music to be playing, etc. This is more of a "boutique" hospital thing, in my opinion, when it comes to birthing babies and although I had my wishes listed, I don't think a single one of them was a reality, as my first baby was a preemie - something we hadn't planned for.
Now hear of people making plans for how they want things - their final wishes while on this earth - as they are dying. It makes perfect sense as it's the last thing they'll ever have control over and therefore, its very meaningful to them. It falls into the realm of "Palliative Care" and it's something more hospitals are implementing. It's not just for the dying - it's also for the ones who are healing - but it's something that's been recognized as a need.
My feelings or impression of this is that, if it helps to make the patient comfortable, then it's a positive thing and should be embraced. People do not heal well when they're in pain and discomfort. They also don't die with dignity when they're in pain and discomfort. If music brings them relief from whatever suffering they're experiencing, then it's a good thing.
Recommended Posts
ChasUFarley
There is a movement in the pastoral care practice where music is part of complimentary medicine for patients. It started out as more of a hospice thing but I've seen it move into more than that. There's no doubt that there are benefits to it.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
polar bear
Thanks Waysider-Cool.
Actually there is a whole field in music called music therapy which is used in hospitals to comfort and sooth the sick.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
sirguessalot
thanks indeed waysider
to add...
having had the honor of meeting and studying and practicing with a world-class group of music thanatologists in the context of hospice and hospital history
and being a lifelong musician
...i was pleased to see this article in the mainstream
ive seen and experienced music thanatology
demonstrated in relationship to diatonic scale and such
for one thing
seems to seem to me
that as we invoke the known range of modes, or moods, of music,
we are also evoking the same range of emotions, thoughts, intuitions, memories, dreams, etc..
and our organs and juices and systems squish and squirm inside of us
flinching, flexing and flowing in corresondance to this range
which i feel points to perhaps why every animal on earth creates and dances to music
...humans, included
because we FEEL sound
and not just with our ears
but in our very bones
i see you music lovers out there nodding your head
:B)
anyway
seems religion as music thanatology (not to mention the counterpart...midwifery) is as old as cave painting
not only are the histories of the biblical psalms "soaking wet" with it
but every musical history seems to have discovered/developed full ranges of musical moods and modes
significant ranges of applications
i highly recommend it
...
anyway ..a personal note
..a few weeks ago
i was invited to fill the role of chaplain for my wife's grandmother and family
and playing music and singing familiar songs together played a significant role at times
singing while crying laughing cussing hoping praying grieving and such
while saying goodbye
helped heal things in everyone
in spite of the loss
...
thanks again WS
Edited by sirguessalotLink to comment
Share on other sites
Watered Garden
Of course, allopathic medicine seems on occasion to think this is something new. Where I used to work, they made a bit of a splash with their music program, as if they had discovered it themselves. They did in fact have people who would come and play music for the dying.
A personal, and somewhat painful note: When my beloved, 87-year-old aunt was dying of complications from a massive stroke, I had Hospice bring her to my home. I arranged the living room with soft lights and spring flowers (it was April and we had a lot of daffodils and tulips). I playing soft music on my stereo. I wouldn't let anyone come in the nearby front door and when people did come to call, I made sure they spoke softly and positively. I had one TWI tape, of the quartet, because she knew one of them and like the family.
When she breathed her last, it was to Pachelbel's Canon, and me telling her the next thing she saw would be the face of Jesus Christ.
I'm so thankful I could do that for her. the soft lights, flowers, and especially music seemed to relax her somewhat.
WG
Link to comment
Share on other sites
waysider
She was very, very fortunate to have a loved one who would do this for her.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ChasUFarley
When I had my first baby, I learned of something called a "birth plan" where the mother can list her wishes on who she wants in the room when the baby is born, how she'd like the the lighting, and if she wants music to be playing, etc. This is more of a "boutique" hospital thing, in my opinion, when it comes to birthing babies and although I had my wishes listed, I don't think a single one of them was a reality, as my first baby was a preemie - something we hadn't planned for.
Now hear of people making plans for how they want things - their final wishes while on this earth - as they are dying. It makes perfect sense as it's the last thing they'll ever have control over and therefore, its very meaningful to them. It falls into the realm of "Palliative Care" and it's something more hospitals are implementing. It's not just for the dying - it's also for the ones who are healing - but it's something that's been recognized as a need.
My feelings or impression of this is that, if it helps to make the patient comfortable, then it's a positive thing and should be embraced. People do not heal well when they're in pain and discomfort. They also don't die with dignity when they're in pain and discomfort. If music brings them relief from whatever suffering they're experiencing, then it's a good thing.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.