The Transformative Impact of Art and Music Therapy in Hospice Care

Art and music therapy are clinical services that have emerged as powerful and versatile modalities to meet the individualized needs of patients and their families. These therapies are facilitated by trained professionals who skillfully tailor each session to the unique needs and preferences of the patient. In the compassionate realm of hospice care, art and music therapy offer a profound source of growth and well-being and can be a valuable form of emotion regulation and symptom management for individuals and their families. According to the American Music Therapy Association’s (AMTA) recent Workforce Studies, approximately 62.2% of hospices and home-health agencies in the US offered music therapy, with music therapy being the third most offered Complementary and Alternative Therapy provided in conjunction with traditional hospice care. The National Library of Medicine places Hospice of the Western Reserve among an elite 22% of hospices in the country that employ an art therapist. 

Music therapy in hospice care incorporates evidence-based interventions designed to meet the psychosocial and physical needs of patients and their loved ones. 

To deliver music therapy, individuals must undergo rigorous training, which encompasses a bachelor’s degree in a music therapy program, a supervised internship and successful completion of a board-certified examination and Western Reserve Care Solutions has been approved internship site for over 25 years. Currently, three certified professionals work within our service area, providing music therapy to patients at home, care facilities, and our inpatient units. This therapeutic approach, offered towards the end of life, effectively addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual and cognitive needs of both patients and their families.

“Music is the medium in which we are using,” says Natalie, a Western Reserve Care Solutions Music Therapist. “But music is used to reach far deeper goals.” If someone were to play an instrument, it could be therapeutic, but the way in which a music therapist manipulates the music to impact the different parts of the brain transforms music from entertainment into therapy. It is because of this transformation that music therapy can look so different from patient to patient. Music therapists employ diverse approaches from playing a song in different rhythms from start to finish, singing a familiar song multiple times, or assisting with songwriting and composing. Whether a person is creating music, playing it, or listening to it, the goals can be, but are not limited to, reducing anxiety, developing coping skills, managing pain and processing and verbalizing emotions. The versatility of music therapy allows it to cater specifically to the individual needs of each patient.

"I was referred to see the high school age son of a patient, his father, who was at home in on hospice. His The son’s mother was the patient’s primary caregiver and referred me to meet with him. Over time, he started to express his anticipatory grief through interventions and counseling in the music therapy visits. One of the interventions used was song writing where he would give me the words and together, we talked about the memories he had with his father. We started to include his mother and together, they would sit, talk, and work on the verses of the song. Although you do not have to be a musician to participate and benefit in music therapy, the son did play the guitar and created a melody for the song. I then took the words and verses and made them into lyrical phrases. The patient was not able to communicate, but to incorporate him into the song, we recorded his heartbeat and used that as the backing to the song. Ultimately, the son was able to process his emotions using a creative outlet, we had the whole family was involved, and created a piece of legacy work that they then played at the father’s memorial service."

Art therapy enriches the lives of patients and families through the encouragement of creativity and artmaking and provides with an outlet to explore and communicate their thoughts and feelings. 

To become an art therapist, an individual must earn a master’s degree in art therapy or related field, complete a supervised internship, apply for the Registered Art Therapist (ATR) credential, and take a board certification examination. Western Reserve Care Solutions has two Board-Certified Art Therapists who work both with patients at home, at inpatient units, community centers and even virtual workshops. Desiree Benedict, who primarily works with patients and families actively in hospice and palliative care, comes equipped with a traveling trunk of art supplies. When working with the patients and clients, her goal is to meet them where they are in life and to work on what is most important them. “My sessions can include addressing the emotions that come with end-of-life issues,” says Desiree. “Other times it can be involve working on artwork to leave behind for loved ones after they’ve passed.”

Art therapy can be utilized to help practice self-compassion and explore thoughts and emotions related to grief. Mollie Borgione is the Art Therapist for Western Reserve Grief Services and primarily works with the bereaved. She facilitates the Healing Arts Program, and art therapy workshops at our campuses, virtually and in the community. Those who attend Healing Arts workshops can expect to experience a variety of art opportunities, such as drawing, painting and sculpture. The Healing Arts Program also includes a monthly group, Fabric and Feelings, where participants come to gather with others who are grieving and create all things fabric, sharing both their grief experiences and fabric arts knowledge with each other. “Don’t be afraid to join a workshop,” says Mollie. “You don’t have to be an artist to get the benefits.” 

Art therapy is a complementary intervention that can have a positive impact on the holistic well-being of the patients in our care and those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. It can be enjoyed by anyone who may be open to it, regardless of their experience with art. “I often hear people say that they can only draw a stick figure,” says Desiree. “Well, that’s what I can draw too, but you don’t need to have developed art skills to reap the benefits of art therapy and there is no right or wrong way to create art.”

"I visited a 91-year-old patient that had never painted before but had an interest in learning how to paint with watercolors. When I met her, her family had bought her different watercolor. I asked the patient what she was most interested in learning to paint, and she selected a landscape. After several visits and hard work, the patient completed her first watercolor landscape painting. She was so proud of her accomplishment and went on to paint more landscapes. A copy of the first painting she created now hangs in the art walk at David Simpson Hospice House. This is an excellent example of how, even in the end of life, positive new experiences can still happen. Personal accomplishments can play an important role of providing positivity in a time that can be generally overwhelming or negative for people."