The Magic of Music Therapy

Making Music Magic

Music is magical. It has a way of making us feel better. Those favorite songs will bring a smile to our faces as we sing along or tap our toes. For hospice patients, music therapy is pure gold, especially if the patient is like 93-year-old Carole Ford of Mays Landing. A former church organist, making music brightens her mood. "She has a musical ear," said Karen Melita, music therapist for NJHealth Hospice, to that Carole responds with a huge smile and a hit to a high note on her xylophone. (listen to her music on the link below). She says her favorite thing about music therapy is making "it happen."

There are many studies that show that music therapy will improve mood, reduce pain, and provide a better sense of well-being overall for those with terminal illnesses.  But we don’t need a study to convince us that hearing that “special song” brings us joy, sparking a memory from better times. It makes us smile. It makes us happy and there’s good reason for that.

“Music stimulates endorphins which enhances our moods, our minds and quality of life. It encourages self-expression and creates a unique, connecting experience” explained Board-Certified Music Therapist, Karen Melita, MMT, MT-BC at NJ Health Hospice and Palliative Care. "Music therapy is a way to communicate the intense and often helpless feelings that often arise with a hospice diagnosis, for both the patient and family members” explains Melita, “It creates a safe space exercise these uncomfortable feelings, often replacing them with joy, reminiscence, and laughter.”

Music therapy goes deeper than just singing or playing an instrument along to favorite tunes. It is customized to the individual to address their emotional needs.  The psychological impact of a terminal diagnosis can include shock and anger by both the patient and family members as well as the fear of death and loss of independence.

  “I feel that music therapy has been exceptionally good for Mom and myself as well,” said Carole's daughter Sandy Stroble about her experience. “Music Therapist Karen has been wonderful with Mom, it really makes her come alive. It’s so great to see her perk right up so much during this music therapy it's almost like she's her old self again.”

NJHealth Hospice and Palliative Care is one of only a few hospice organizations that offer music therapy to their patients as well as massage therapy. These two complementary therapies have proven to reduce pain, lessen anxiety, improve mood, and overall well-being. The NJHealth Hospice Team is focused on providing patients with the best quality of life possible and supporting family caregivers as well.

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