“Mercy Music has significantly enriched the lives of our patients, their families and staff here at Embracing Hospice. The effectiveness of Therapeutic Music has been simply amazing. It is hard to fully describe the difference that Chuck’s music has made in how we care for our patients. The music is so consoling, comforting and relaxing to all of us. I have seen patients respond by becoming more relaxed; less agitated or simply falling asleep. Chuck’s music can brighten the day of one patient, while another releases pent up emotions through tears as they listen to the beautiful music. Mercy Music is truly a “gift” to all of us and our patients.” ~Barbara Farrell, Medical Social Worker, Embracing Hospice
“I vividly remember working with an actively dying patient who was experiencing a condition called “terminal agitation”. The patient had been given ample medication to help her relax, but she continued to cry out and kept trying to climb out of bed. We were considering restraining her as a last resort when I thought to ask Chuck if he could play his guitar for her in hopes that his music could her calm down.”
“Chuck agreed and I was amazed to see her immediately respond as the first chords rang out from his guitar. Literally within 30 seconds, she became silent and still as though she had fallen asleep. She remained that way as long as Chuck played music that was specifically written for relaxation. Within thirty minutes, she was resting peacefully and we were all so relieved that we did not have to restrain her. Mercifully, she passed away in peace later that night.” ~Emily Noree, RN, Embracing Hospice
“Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears – it is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear. But for many of my neurological patients, music is even more – it can provide access, even when no medication can, to movement, to speech, to life. For them, music is not a luxury, but a necessity.” ~Oliver Sacks, Neurologist and Author
