Music can help patients who are dying to be more responsive

Last Updated on Sunday, 1 August 2010 08:04 Written by putra Thursday, 29 July 2010 06:10

As a singer voluntary, Angela Hoffer have their own medicine which he gave to patients suffering from cancer, heart disease or Alzheimer’s who are dying. Song that he had donated to help dying patients end their lives happier.

Hoffer began a voluntary singer Vitas Innovative Hospice Care on the inpatient unit at the Hospital Pembroke Pines, Florida three years ago. Since then, the program singing to help dying patients has become a psychological therapy in the hospital.

“This program helps psychologically dying patients to realize that her life is valuable even at the last minute of his death,” said Anne Warren, manager of the hospital as reported Sunsentinel.

For Hoffer, singing in front of other patients as a form of concern, is also an opportunity to channel her singing talent. Hoffer has also been used to being in the environment of the hospital because she had her mother take care of the sick for 25 years.

“My mother was widowed and sick. So I had to take care of her since her teens until she finally died. The experience that allows me to encourage and understand the sick or dying,” said Hoffer who also works as a family therapist.

According to Dr. Warren, the song provided by Hoffer proved to give good effects for the patient. “Having heard him sing, the patient will be more responsive than ever and seem happier,” said Warren.

The effectiveness of music therapy is also recognized by Jeff Engel, a researcher from New York University. He also suggested that for patients like singers Hoffer volunteers given a special certificate for his services to help patients. According to Engel, the song will make people live longer.

“Songs and music that are familiar will help your brain stay active. The songs are familiar in the ears of patients will slow cognitive function decline and damage to brain cells, thereby making them able to survive,” explains Engel.

Listen to the song also makes the patient seemed to return to the past when they were in a healthy state so that help them generate a response.