End of life therapeutic music

Specialties MICU

Published

Specializes in ER/Critical Care.

I was attempting to have a very textbook therapeutic moment with a patient that was getting ready to pass this week and ran into a problem-during her bath I was trying to play some therapeutic/soothing music but I couldn't find anything on the radio (I'd find a song and some hokey DJ would come on and be really obnoxious and ruin the whole vibe). It worked out in the end in that a lovely song was playing and I was singing along, then she took her last breath and the Beach Boys "I want to go home" came on and was just completely appropriate and perfect-one of those moments I wish I could create for all of my patients as they pass.

So now my question is: What are some songs that you play/sing to your patients in situations like these? I'm thinking about making a CD to have on the unit just for such situations, but I need ideas for songs to add. Thanks in advance everyone for your input!

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Musical tastes vary. Ask the family if they would like to bring in the patient's favorite music. I have heard a variety from gospel to Buddhist chants.

One family played their mother's favorite gospel song so the song repeated all day. I heard the song so many times, I sang it on the way home.

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Specializes in ER/Critical Care.
Musical tastes vary. Ask the family if they would like to bring in the patient's favorite music. I have heard a variety from gospel to Buddhist chants.

One family played their mother's favorite gospel song so the song repeated all day. I heard the song so many times, I sang it on the way home.

I understand that, but I am thinking about those where there is no family around, or they are unable to bring in music-just a general CD for cases like these. My lady this week her family extubated her and then left an hour later-so it was up to me to be by her side when she passed so she didn't go alone, and I was trying to make the moment a little softer. A general "terminal bath" CD would have been nice in that case...

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Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

I put a playlist on my mp3 player specifically for vent patients. I've used it occasionally for other helpless folks as well, and it seems to help people calm down and tolerate their being in ICU a little better. It consists of church music piano versions only, some Enya, some other soft mood music, and it's not something I could sleep with but again, the elderly seem to like it where I am. I stick the headphones in the player (small phones, not earbuds) and put the whole thing in a glove, stick it near pt's head. They hear, and it's not too loud so no one else is disturbed.

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pandora.com is my favorite!!! you can go to the website and set up a station that only plays a certain type of music. I play an 'enya' or "david Lanz' station for end of life pts and agitated pts on vents. it always seems to relax them.

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