Music Therapy at Saint Luke’s subscribes to the philosophy that we can be better, we can provide meaningful experiences and we can do this together as a team. Our resident is the center of any program or project and remains the core focus of our work The main goal of Music Therapy at Saint Luke’s Homes is to achieve a high level of programming, reaching all residents in the home. Music Therapy strives toward inclusivity in programming.  Music Therapy is a part time service available to our residents for 2.5 days per week.

Benefits of Music Therapy include:

• Improves mood. Studies show that listening to music can benefit overall well-being, help regulate emotions, and create happiness and relaxation in everyday life.
• Reduces stress. Listening to ‘relaxing’ music (generally considered to have slow tempo, low pitch, and no lyrics) has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in general.
• Improves memory. Research has shown that the repetitive elements of rhythm and melody help our brains form patterns that enhance memory.
• Eases pain. Music allows residents to focus on rhythm, lyrics, tempo to distract from physical pain and discomfort.
• Provides comfort. Music therapy has also been used to help enhance communication, coping, and expression of feelings such as fear, loneliness, and anger in patients who have a serious illness, and who are in end-of-life care.
• Improves cognition. Listening to music can also help people with Alzheimer’s recall seemingly lost memories and even help maintain some mental abilities.