The STAR Center is competing for a $100,000 Community Thrives grant to provide music therapy for hospice patients in West Tennessee.
A Community Thrives is a nationwide crowdfunding and grant program from the Gannett Foundation. The STAR Center has to complete weekly fundraising challenges and invite community members to donate in order to compete for the grant money. This is the final week of The Star Center’s fundraising challenge. The fundraiser ends at 11 a.m. Friday, October 16.
Music Therapy for Hospice
Every person is unique and should be treated as such. The approach and goals for this project, Music Therapy for Hospice, will be driven by each patient and those surrounding them. Some of the general goals will include physical relaxation, emotional connections, and spiritual support.
This project will serve as a complement to long-standing reputable hospice providers. The goal is to better serve patients, families, and caregivers in a more holistic approach to end of life care. In addition, family needs extend past their loved one’s end of life. Bereavement combined with the healing power of music will serve to mend the wounds of physical separation.
“Music passes into our limbic system, which is where our emotions lie,” said Russell Hilliard, the first hospice music therapist in the United States. Hilliard continues his work with dying patients and their families to fashion sessions aimed at reducing pain and anxiety.
Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. This project will allow collaboration with board-certified music therapists and long-standing hospice providers in the region.
To support The STAR Center’s Project – Music Therapy for Hospice – make your gift at www.givetostar.com.