Music Therapy supports Hospice patient with her and her family’s grief

Jessica Foster was supported by Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. She kindly shared her experience of Music Therapy with Helen Loth, from the Charity.

“I was offered music therapy by my Specialist Palliative Care Home Team Nurse, Rose. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I have not experienced any kind of therapy before. Although I enjoy listening to music and used to enjoy singing when I could, I had never actually made any.

I breathe through a stoma in my neck and use a speech valve implant to talk, so I was a little worried how music therapy would work for me!

Through six sessions of shared talking and using instruments together in a relaxed, comfortable and safe space we were able to produce a beautiful song to the tune of ‘Stand by me’.

The lyrics were re-written using our work from session two when we discussed what I would like to say to my family in my goodbye letters. We didn’t use any music or instruments that session, we just talked, cried and wrote the lyrics.

When it was time for Nurse Rose to come to my home and inform my family that I had just a short while left to live, my family and I read the lyrics together, which helped us all with our grief enormously.”

Rose commented:

“The music therapy sessions really supported the conversations I could have with Jessica about advance care planning with her and her family.”

Jessica continued:

“I would never have been brave enough, without Helen’s therapy, to do that and the most valuable and lasting words and memories would not have been shared with them.

Alternative therapies (for example massage) are wonderful but are of the moment and the memory of it passes quickly.
The therapy I had with Helen not only allowed me to enjoy time listening and playing music but also to produce lifelong memories for me and my family without being afraid or embarrassed.”

Helen commented:

“As part of Jessica’s music therapy sessions it was a pleasure to help her write a song, which she played an instrument for – as she is unable to sing. I know she has shared the recording we made, with her family and I am pleased she was able to give this to them as I know it was important to her. “

Jessica added:

“I hope that Helen continues to use her talent and skills to help others like me in her future career.”

---

To find out more about our services please visit arhc.org.uk/services