Music has the power to soothe.

Music, planned and presented by a skilled clinical professional, has proven to be a powerful tool for easing pain, anxiety and depression. Music therapists and music-thanatologists offer music, from the relaxing to the upbeat, at the bedside of Midwest CareCenter hospice patients.

Our board-certified music therapists use a variety of individualized techniques to help you relax, express your feelings and recall significant experiences from your life. Using musical instruments as well as their own voices, music therapists provide an interactive experience, such as encouraging you to sing along or helping you write a song to leave as a legacy for the people you love. Music therapy can be helpful if you are experiencing ongoing symptoms such as pain, depression or anxiety.

Drawing on their musical and clinical palliative care training, our music-thanatologists use harp and voice to address physical, emotional and spiritual suffering at the end of life. Using music prescriptively, they vary the tempo and tone of music to respond to changes occurring in your body, like a slowing of pulse and breathing, in the final hours of life. During their visits—music vigils—they alternate sound and silence to help you and your loved ones relax and rest.

We provide Music Care Services as an additional benefit to those receiving hospice care. Because these services are supported by donations, there is no cost to you for music therapy or music-thanatology.

Expressive arts programming is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Art Council, a state agency.