End of life care and dementia care have been handled by medicine for decades.
But that’s about to change…
Live entertainment and music have begun serving as an alternative to medicine that nonprofit organisations are bringing to patients all over the country.
Here’s why that’s important…
Life with pain, dementia and end of life realities can be extremely difficult. Hospice and memory care patients deal with a variety of symptoms that standard medicine can help, but not solve.
Live entertainment helps solve those problems.
What do you think a person who is dying or living with dementia wants? To feel connected. To feel happy. To feel nostalgic. Medicine doesn’t do that. Live music and entertainment does.
7.2 million Americans over the age of 65 are estimated to be living with Alzheimer’s right now. At the same time, hospice patients everywhere are dealing with challenging end of life symptoms. Live entertainment is serving a huge need.
If you’ve wondered about one of the best charities bringing live music and entertainment to hospice and memory care facilities, this article will provide some answers.
Table of contents
- Why Live Entertainment Is So Important For Hospice Patients
- Why Does Live Entertainment Help Memory Care Patients?
- Types of Live Entertainment That Bring Joy to Patients
- How Live Entertainment Non Profit Organizations Are Helping Patients Everywhere
Why Live Entertainment Is So Important For Hospice Patients
When you think about hospice care, words like comfort and quality of life come to mind.
But there’s one thing that’s often overlooked…
While medicine can provide relief for hospice patients, it doesn’t typically address the emotional and psychological challenges they face. Enter live entertainment.
Once a musician walks into a room of hospice patients and starts playing familiar songs, you’ll see smiles and tapping feet.
Patients feel alive again.
As soon as the music starts, pains and worries are forgotten. Patients often sing, dance, interact and spend much of their time just smiling when someone is singing them their favorite songs.
Live entertainment provides:
- Distraction from physical and mental stress
- Social stimulation to fight off loneliness
- Mental stimulation to keep them thinking
Music and live entertainment activates parts of the brain that medicine can’t reach. That’s why families and care workers report such positive experiences when musicians visit.
And it’s not just about listening to music. Live music forces patients to focus on the moment which can help them cope with what they’re going through.
For hospice patients, that type of mental relief is invaluable.
Why Does Live Entertainment Help Memory Care Patients?
You may have noticed that the word “music” keeps coming up.
That’s because live music is a big part of what every live entertainment alternative to music therapy nonprofit should be doing.
But did you know that music offers memories patients real medical benefits?
Researchers at Monash University found that adults over the age of 70 who listened to music regularly had a 39% lower risk of developing dementia.
Now that’s impressive.
Music works wonders for memory care patients because it stimulates so many parts of the brain at once.
Listening to music makes people remember, feel, dance and sing. That’s why patients with memory loss can often still sing along to songs they hear.
So what can live music do for patients with memory loss?
- Access hard to reach memories
- Improve patient mood and outlook
- Decrease anxieties and agitated behaviors
- Reduce dependency on pharmaceuticals
It’s not magic. Studies prove that music therapy aids memory care patients with cognition, long term depression, and overall quality of life.
Live entertainment and music are proven therapies for those suffering from dementia.
Types of Live Entertainment That Bring Joy to Patients
There’s not just one type of entertainment program.
Programs can range from live music performances to full on productions put on specifically for patients.
You want variety when you’re thinking about entertainment for these patients. Variety is key.
Some popular types of entertainment for patients include:
- Live musical performances — working with musicians to create a set list of songs that patients will recognize
- Group sing-alongs — allowing patients to interact with each other and join in on the fun
- Interactive Drumming Circles — get patients up and moving with hand drums and other rhythmic instruments
- Live theatre — holding live performances that patients can watch. From plays to comedy acts, live performances keep patients engaged
Anything that gets patients smiling, singing and engaging with others is great entertainment.
You have to meet them where they’re at.
How Live Entertainment Non Profit Organizations Are Helping Patients Everywhere
This is the best part…
Live entertainment nonprofits are playing a huge role in hospice and memory care.
Many hospice providers understand that comfort goes beyond clinical care. For example, organizations like Three Oaks Hospice recognize the importance of emotional and spiritual support alongside medical services.
Nonprofit organisations have taken on the mission to provide entertainment as a music therapy alternative to patients everywhere. They deserve your support.
Here’s why nonprofit makes such a difference.
Nonprofit organisations:
- Are able to focus on patient care without getting distracted by profit
- Can build community support through fundraisers and donations
- Allow other groups to copy their model and expand quickly
- Provide free entertainment to patients who need it
Most of these groups are operating on donations and community support from musicians. They don’t make any money from their programs which is why the nonprofit model works so well.
The need for this type of care could be talked about all day. But here’s the real question.
How can you help?
Believe it or not, you can get involved pretty easily. Sharing this article helps. Donating to a live music nonprofit that serves patients is another great way. And if you’re a musician, many of these groups allow you to donate your time.
Every little bit helps these organisations continue to do their work.
Live Entertainment: Bringing It All Together
Live entertainment is miraculous for hospice and memory care patients.
It’s not simply a nice thing to do. Live music and entertainment provides real relief to patients and their families.
Here’s your quick rundown of why live entertainment is so important:
- It provides emotional relief that medicine can’t touch
- Bringing personalized entertainment to patients helps them feel so much better
- Nonprofits exist solely to serve these patients
- Supporting live entertainment means these programs can continue running
At some point in life, most people will be taking care of someone with memory loss or a loved one who is at the end of their life. Isn’t it amazing to think that live entertainment can make their struggles just a little bit easier?
Consider supporting these life-changing organisations.
