Mary Shapiro recalls a moment with a hospice patient in Culpeper who had intense dementia symptoms.
It was a sunny afternoon, and Mary was playing her guitar in the courtyard where the patient sat in a wheelchair, eyes unfocused and distant. As Mary strummed and sang, the patient initially responded with only slight nods and eye contact. But as the session progressed, something remarkable happened: the patient began to sing along. On one occasion, the patient’s granddaughter witnessed this transformation. She was able to connect with her grandmother in a way she hadn’t in years.
At Hospice of the Piedmont, we understand the incredible impact supportive music can have on the lives of our patients and their families. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the expansion of our musical support in Culpeper and Fauquier Counties.
Music by the Bedside: A Healing Tradition
Kate Tamarkin founded the Music by the Bedside program at Hospice of the Piedmont in 2012. It started with a simple yet provocative idea: using music as a form of care.
For the first five years, a team of dedicated musicians volunteered to play at our Hospice House and the Center for Acute Hospice Care. Today, the program engages Certified Music Practitioners to play live, therapeutic music and has expanded its reach to private homes and skilled nursing facilities.
Currently, Music by the Bedside has nine musicians who provide more than 300 hours of live music annually. They play a variety of instruments, including the Celtic harp, guitar, keyboard, violin, mountain dulcimer, and voice, bringing their collective 110 years of experience to each session.
Here is how Kate, the driving force behind the program, describes the experience of playing music for patients and families: “Providing music at the bedside of a hospice patient is very intimate and delicate work. Accompanying a patient in this way is an honor and, for many of us, a spiritual practice. We employ our training, musical skills, and emotional sensitivity to ensure the best possible experience for our patients and their caregivers.”
Supportive music programs like these are funded by generous community philanthropy.
Welcome Mary Shapiro
As mentioned above, we’re pleased to share that the Music by the Bedside Program is expanding north from its Charlottesville roots. Mary Shapiro of Fauquier County is the newest member of our musical team.
In addition to being an accomplished musician with more than 20 years of professional experience, Mary is a storyteller, an educator, and a healer. Her journey with her parents through dementia and depression inspired her to serve older adults and their families.
Mary’s perspective on playing for patients is deeply personal. “I really saw the power of music when my mom had dementia. Her hospice in California sent a musician to play every week, and even though she couldn’t remember anything or barely speak, she could sing with us!”
“After my mom died, my dad had a really hard time,” Mary continues. “I connected with him by playing music at his bedside. We even wrote a song together.”
Creating A Healing Atmosphere Through Live Supportive Music
Mary’s approach to therapeutic music is all about connection and presence. She is currently training as a Certified Music Practitioner with the Music for Healing and Transitions program.
“It’s an intensive program that focuses on gaining the many skills required to play live, therapeutic music at the bedside. We ask for the patient’s permission when possible. We check out what’s happening with the patient, especially if their vital signs are being monitored. We constantly watch and listen to what’s going on and change the music to meet the patient’s needs,” explains Mary
She continues, “Our loving presence coupled with our adaptability can produce an effect more powerful than recorded music. “We seek to create a healing atmosphere—right here, right now. It’s an honor for me to play live therapeutic music at the bedside. It really works.”
A Variety of Supportive Music Offerings
Indeed, supportive music is about more than kicking back and relaxing to some enjoyable tunes. Music has the power to transform. Research has consistently shown that supportive music reduces anxiety, eases pain, stimulates memories, and fosters social connections.
At Hospice of the Piedmont, we offer three distinctive programs, each with a unique approach to using music to improve the quality of life for our patients:
- Music by the Bedside: Our Certified Music Practitioners are trained to provide therapeutic music that helps stabilize heart rates, lower blood pressure, and offer emotional and spiritual support.
- The Front Porch: Front Porch musicians connect with patients and families by creating personalized concerts, drawing on well-known songs and hymns.
- Charlottesville Threshold Singers: This a cappella women’s group sings harmoniously at the bedside of the ill or dying. Their gentle melodies provide a peaceful presence in challenging times.
In addition to the above, we are also thankful for individual volunteer musicians who visit patients at home and in facilities.
An Invitation to Share Your Musical Abilities
If you’re a musician who’s interested in sharing the invaluable gift of your time with patients facing life’s final journey, we invite you to learn more about volunteering. Together, we can continue to bring the healing power of music to those who need it most.
