The Power of Music & Telehealth

Turn That Frown Upside Down

I had the best remote music therapy session with a dementia patient, Ann*, on hospice care. It affirmed my love of music therapy AND how telehealth can work wonderfully. Ann’s nurse and massage therapist were with her and they reported that she wasn’t in very good spirits today. She had been a little combative and her affect was angry. The massage therapist said that Ann was not allowing the massage therapist to touch her, pushing the massage therapist away when she tried. The nurse had even offered her some of her favorite chocolate and Ann adamantly refused. 

I started to play the guitar and hum some of Ann’s favorite songs and it seemed to catch her attention. The nurse reported that she was tapping her toes. Ann appeared to relax and leaned forward in her chair. She stayed like this for quite some time and the massage therapist was able to touch her head, neck, and back. When Ann sat up again, she was humming along and smiling. She even pulled the nurse into a hug, clearly in a much better mood. I love the power of music! And I love that it works with telehealth, too!