Patient Advocates & Music Therapy

According to the American Music therapy Association, “Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program”. https://www.musictherapy.org

Who are Music Therapists

Music therapists will have a bachelor’s degree or higher with specific Clinical training. Music Therapists are required to have knowledge in psychology, medicine, and music.

Some examples that you may see as a Music therapist would be with older adults to lessen the effects of dementia,  hospitalized patients to reduce pain and work with people who have Parkinson’s disease to improve motor function.

Have you ever been offered the option of a music therapist as a part of your care plan?

Patient Advocates Support Music Therapy

As patient advocates, we support and understand the importance of Music therapy. When coordinating care for an individual who enjoys music currently or has had a strong relationship with music we will always advocate for the incorporation of music in a plan of care.

It has been well proven that music therapy can address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. Therefore music therapy can bring tremendous support to patients and it can support overall health.

When can you benefit from Music Therapy?

Why not add music therapy to your plan of care as you recover or improve your health. In particular Music Therapy can be beneficial in the areas of;

• Rehabilitation and can encourage movement
• Increasing people’s motivation to become engaged in their treatments
• Provides an outlet for expression of feelings

Can you think of a time when you or your loved one could have used Music Therapy? When advocating for yourself, remember this may be an option.

Music is Therapeutic

When we focus on the needs of our patients and families, music therapy can always be a part of the plan of care. We can offer individuals at home with Alzheimer’s a way to listen to his or her favorite songs. Music can be playing in the background to create a relaxing environment.

In organizations (hospitals, assisted living facilities, group homes, long-term care) music can be therapeutic. Examples you can see that would support this would be; A piano player in the lobby of a hospital, staff playing background music for patients, a high school student playing guitar in a nursing home, or a choir singing on the pediatric floor of a hospital.

“Where words fail, music speaks.”  Hans Christian Andersen