In late 2023, a Dallas woman passed away at 52 from a brain tumor. As her family gathered during her final days at the T. Boone Pickens Center for Hospice Care, a music therapist played the guitar, filling the woman’s room with comforting melodies.
“The music eased her pain and lifted our souls,” said one of the woman’s loved ones. The experience inspired the loved one, who wishes to remain anonymous, to donate to a program that would allow other patients and families to benefit from this type of end-of-life care.
Working with the Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation, she learned that Baylor Scott & White’s Arts in Medicine program offers several ways to bring music to the bedside of patients during their final days.
Part of the Arts in Medicine program, Music Care Services brings together a team of specially trained musicians—board-certified music therapists, certified music practitioners and a certified music-thanatologist—who perform bedside instrumentals and vocals. These services go beyond traditional care by addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their
families. Of the 3,500 Music Care sessions provided at Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC) last year, nearly 30 percent were for patients nearing the end of life.
“By attuning to a patient’s heart rate and respirations, connections are made that are often tangible,” said music-thanatologist Terese Cullen, who serves patients at BUMC. “The music can ease pain, restlessness, agitation, sleeplessness and labored breathing.”
With fewer than 100 certified music-thanatologists nationwide—and Terese being one of only two in Texas—this rare, personalized level of care is powerful, especially for patients at the end of life.
“These types of services offered through Arts in Medicine would not be possible without donor support,” said Ashley Jones, Arts in Medicine supervisor. “We’ve been fortunate to have connected with donors who personally know the power that music and art can bring to a person’s spirit, enabling healing to take place, even at the end of life when a cure is no longer possible. Their generosity ensures that anyone open to our services will have the opportunity to benefit from our team’s expertise.”
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