What is Music Therapy?
It is a clinical and evidence-based healthcare practice that uses music to accomplish personalized goals. Professionally trained music therapists use counseling techniques to provide support both verbally and musically to patients and their families.
Learn more in the video below:
Join Music Patron Circle
For $5 per month or more, you can make a difference throughout the year for our hospice patients and families by becoming a Music Patron Circle member. As a member of this special group, you will receive a monthly update and musical postcard recorded by our music therapists. Your gift will offer monthly support to continue the expansion of our Music Therapy program, providing comfort to more hospice patients & their families.
Please contact Theresa Hart at donorservices@wvh.org or 503.588.3600 for more information.
The HeartStrings Garden Party
The HeartStrings Garden Party is an annual fundraiser to provide additional support to the music therapy program. Join us for a raffle and silent auction while enjoying light refreshments. Monthly Music Patron Circle members who donate $5 or more are invited to our annual HeartStrings Garden Party Fundraiser. The guestlist for this intimate event includes sponsors and monthly Music Patron Circle donors. The HeartStrings Garden Party features stories and musical examples from our board-certified music therapists about how music therapy impacts hospice patients and their families at the end of life.
CDs Available
These CDs are unique works of art performed by Willamette Vital Health music therapists. Songs include original works from the music therapists themselves, as well as songs written and co-written by hospice patients.
CDs are $15.00 and available to order online or by contacting staff Judith at 503.588.3600 or donorservices@wvh.org. They are also available for download at Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes.
How Music Therapy helps hospice patients and their families
Music affects the mind, body, and spirit in many ways. It can influence the natural rhythms of the body to regulate blood pressure and breathing. It can release the body’s natural painkillers, while reducing anxiety and restlessness. It helps us express ourselves both emotionally and spiritually and to find greater meaning in our lives. Music Therapy has been found to be effective in addressing the following issues in hospice and palliative care:
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Pain and anxiety
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Emotional and spiritual concerns
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Supporting grieving families
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Need for meaningful interaction between family members
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Development of coping skills
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Search for meaning and reviewing one’s life
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Depression, fear, isolation, confusion, and loss of control
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Quality of life
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Facilitating a peaceful death
More information on music therapy and the training required to become a board-certified music therapist can be found at the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA, musictherapy.org).
