The moving power of music - North Devon Hospice

The power of music in making meaningful moments, by North Devon Hospice’s Marketing Officer, Saf.

A couple of weeks ago, a colleague and I were incredibly privileged to spend the day with our amazing Hospice to Home Team. Every day, these wonderful nurses visit patients and their families at home to give care and support however they can, to make that last chapter as comfortable as possible. What an amazing job they do.

On this particular day, Jenny – the lovely nurse we were with – explained that our first stop would be with a lovely lady who, after being diagnosed with cancer, wanted to spend her final days at home. Half an hour later as we knocked on her front door, we were greeted by her husband, who welcomed us inside their beautiful home.

As we stepped into the lounge, I saw that our patient was sitting up in bed against a sea of fluffy cushions looking cosy and relaxed. After introducing ourselves with a friendly hello, she and Jenny began to chat like old friends, showing just how well they’d gotten to know each other over the past few weeks. As they talked about the day-to-day, the patient explained to us that one of the things she was really missing was playing the piano and how, as her illness had progressed, she’d lost the ability in her hands to play.

Upon hearing this, my colleague, Jo, explained that while she was no professional, she would be happy to play a song or two for the lady to help brighten her day. With that, her face lit up and she nodded intently as Jo took a seat at the beautiful old piano that was placed on the opposite side of the room.

As Jo’s fingers pressed the keys gently, a magical silence fell upon the room. Our patient, who had been longing to hear the enchanting sound of her beloved piano, gently closed her eyes and slowly lifted her hands, tapping the air softly with every note. As the smile slowly spread across her face, the lady’s husband took a seat beside her and began to well up at seeing his wife experience such a peaceful moment at what I know to be the hardest time.

Having been part of the hospice team for almost seven years now, I’ve been lucky enough to witness lots of magical moments during that time. But this was without doubt one of the most moving. To see this patient in such serenity was just amazing and something that I know I’ll always look back on with my heart feeling full. It’s your support that makes moments like these possible for the people of North Devon every single day. Thank you.