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Music Therapist Katie Bagley engages a patient and his wife in making music together.

Care Dimensions Receives Substantial Gift to Support Music Therapy Program

This fall, Care Dimensions received one of its largest single gifts in its history in support of its music therapy program. This gift will allow Care Dimensions to add an additional music therapist to its team and will sustain this position for multiple years. The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has been deeply moved and impressed by the ability of music therapy to bring to the surface emotions and physical function in patients through music.

Care Dimensions has employed board certified music therapists for nearly 10 years, and in 2021 alone they provided over 3,800 music therapy visits. Music therapy is part of Care Dimensions’ comprehensive complementary therapies program, which also includes massage, Reiki, and pet therapy, to nurture the body, mind, and spirit. These non-invasive, holistic practices enhance the plan of care and enrich the quality of life for patients, families, and caregivers by relieving stress and tension, aiding relaxation, and promoting a sense of well-being.

“As a psychologist, I use words to help people access their emotions,” said the donor. “In music therapy, the goals are the same: to meet people where they are with dignity and compassion, to connect as human beings at a time when they may feel cut off from life, help them connect to their own life journey--past, present, and future, given the awareness of an end. It’s really two sides of the same coin.

“I see music therapy as important, sacred, and loving. It’s emotionally demanding work, but the experience is as much a gift to the giver as it is to the recipient,” said the donor. “I know music therapy doesn’t get reimbursed by insurance, so donors and community partnerships are critical. I want this gift to help allow every hospice patient who could benefit from music therapy to have the opportunity to be transformed by it.”

“This amazingly generous gift moves me deeply,” said Li Kynvi, Care Dimensions creative arts therapy coordinator. “This work is difficult to understand, and many see it as entertainment or background music, but it’s truly a therapeutic model deeply tied into improving quality of life, and providing the recipient with the opportunity for joy, spiritual connection, accessing and exploring deep emotions that arise when coping with advanced illness, connection with family, the ability to look forward to something, among so much more.

“For all patients including those who are non-verbal or have dementia, music therapy enables them to connect and express emotion with or without words. It’s the exchange of love made audible. This gift allows us to not only see more patients, but to visit them more frequently,” explained Kynvi. “In a time when many hospice programs are cutting non-required services because of COVID-era budget pressures, I am grateful that Care Dimensions and this donor believe in this program and understands the benefits and support it provides to our patients in the community. We are grateful this donor found our program worthy of such an investment.”

If you would like to learn more about how your donations can support programs like music and complementary therapies that improve patient quality of life, please contact our Philanthropy Department at 978-223-9787 or email [email protected].