Music as medicine on Richmond Hospital’s 3 North
For Richmond resident Margaret Mander, music takes her back to the time when her home was filled with the sounds of her daughter practicing clarinet, and of the many concerts she attended with her late husband.
“The memories come flooding in when I hear music — my youngest daughter in her school band, The Temptations, Gladys Knight and the Pips — I love music,” said Mander, a patient on Richmond Hospital’s 3North Sub Acute Transitional Care Unit. “It takes me back to happier times.”
Margaret Mander and Music Therapist Annie Yip connect over the songs that take Mander back to happier times.
Mander is one of several patients on 3 North who either sings or plays an instrument two-times weekly with Music Therapist Annie Yip.
The program arrived on 3 North and 3 South in September, and has been part of regular activity programming at Richmond Lions Manor and Minoru Residence for the past 10 years. Music Therapy is also offered on in-patient psychiatry, oncology and palliative care.
Helping the living and the dying
“Music triggers memories that you may not always hear about in purely verbal conversations, especially with patients with Dementia,” said Annie Yip, 3North’s Music Therapist, who has seen flashes of lucidity restored through song. “People become more present and oriented when we’re engaged in music through songs or rhythm or playing an instrument. It changes their behaviour in a positive way and we get to see who that beautiful person really is behind their medical diagnosis.”
Music, too, helps connect families in times of grief. Yip, in fact, has provided comfort music during a person’s last minutes of life. “Hymns were especially important to this particular family and patient,” she recalled. “I was asked to play a few favourites, which provided a peaceful backdrop for the family to say goodbye.”
For other clients who leave 3 North for another care setting, Yip “charts” her clients’ musical preferences and progress so that the connections made during their stay at Richmond Hospital are not lost if the patient is admitted eventually to Richmond Lions Manor or Minoru Residence.
Music Therapy supported by hospital auxiliary
Music Therapy across the Richmond Community of Care is funded by the Richmond Hospital/Health Care Auxiliary to the tune of $111,000 annually. The money is primarily raised through the Richmond Hospital lottery booth and gift shop, as well as the auxiliary’s Steveston-based Thrift Store.
“We have all witnessed the person who never speaks or participates in any activity, but when music is played or someone sings to them, they are with you and their eyes sparkle,” said Colleen Kason, president, Richmond Hospital/Health Care Auxiliary. “It gives us all such a warm feeling to see that reaction, and it makes such a difference to the well-being of the patient.”
Brendan Shields
As one of the music therapists who works in Richmond I just want to say to the Richmond Hospital/Health Care Auxiliary a huge and ginormous thank you for all you have done over the many years to support music therapy in Richmond. I know as a front line music therapist the difference music therapy can make in a persons life while they are in care. A patient in care faces so many unknowns and possible losses. Music therapy can speak to them when words often fail. A skilled M.T. is a true life line that can offer hope, joy, distraction, fun, and connection in an environment that is often cold and institutional. The Richmond Hospital/Health Care Auxiliary have quietly supported music therapy for many years in Richmond by doing what needs to be done,… that is putting money on the table. Through there thoughtful support there are now several music therapists working in palliative care, long term care, general medical, and psychiatric settings. The Richmond Hospital/Health Care Auxiliary have managed through their financial support to create in Richmond a cutting edge center for music therapy in health care that doesn’t exist anywhere else in B.C. As a music therapist I want to recognize them for their support of my profession and as a future patient (as all of us are just one moment away from a hospital stay) I want to say that I hope, if I need to be admitted into care, that I have the chance to be admitted in Richmond.
Cheryl Chan
Thank you to the Richmond Hospital Healthcare Auxiliary Group! Without your generous donation, our patients on both 3 Medicine Acute & 3 Medicine Sub-Acute & Transitional Care Unit will not received music therapy for healing and connection with others. We have seen such a change in patient’s well-being with music therapy as part of their therapy while they are in the hospital.
Once again, our utmost gratitude for your support and donations.