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Music for palliative care and caregivers…growing in popularity across Canada
(Toronto, October 24, 2006) - When Bev Foster released her first three CDs to launch a special music series for palliative care a year ago, she had hoped they would prove useful as a comfort tool for people in hospice or palliative care. But the response to the Room 217 CD series has proven her music has much wider appeal and has become as popular with caregivers to support their work and emotions as for those for whom they care.
The Room 217 web site, which serves as a community information forum and features articles by health-care contributors, receives ongoing communications from those who have been touched by her music (www.room217.ca).
Inspired by her personal life journey, Bev Foster, a gifted musician and music educator, released the CD series to help transform how we cope and care for the dying, as well as people facing complex care needs, or other life challenges involving loss, change, or grief that are part of life’s journey.
Room 217’s CDs are now used in many hospitals, hospices and long-term care facilities across Canada and as far away as Australia (see attached testimonials), for people in palliative care as well as for nurses, chaplains, recreational therapists, and other health-care staff. Recognized by the International Association of Hospice and Palliative Care, it is listed in their resource section of their website (www.hospicecare.com).
Bev is now in studio working on her next CD, “Hugs & Kisses…especially for kids”, created for children in palliative care and their caregivers. It will be released in February 2007. But as we discovered with Bev’s past CDs, we expect this music will be used to help soothe any child and their caregivers, useful for daycare settings, help children to relax and sleep, as well as for those in treatment programs.
Bev’s vision is to continue to create new CDs to meet the specific needs of different age groups. As part of Room 217’s resources, Bev also gives a variety of talks to healthcare professionals across North America about Music for Life’s Journey. She is a sought-after conference speaker at many major health-care events such as the B.C. Hospice Association’s Annual Conference in Vancouver, B.C. and the American National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s Conference on Volunteerism and Caregiving in Denver, Colorado.
For further information, interviews, or copies of the CDs:
Media Contact - Joanne Ingrassia, The Kenilworth House, 416.693.9462 or thekenilworthhouse@sympatico.ca
About the Music:
Room 217, named in honour of her father who died in Room 217 at Uxbridge Cottage Hospital in Ontario, is a series of contemplative CDs that tap into the power of recognizable songs, especially comforting in times of stress, providing comfort and support during times when words may not be required or communication is limited. (To sample music, go to www.room217.ca)
The range of music on Room 217’s first three CDs extends through a variety of beautiful and timeless melodies that speak inter-generationally. Using a gentle weave of acoustic instruments and voice, the Room 217 series of CDs sensitively and contemplatively provides what Foster calls “a ribbon of music”, with no abrupt starts and stops between selections or sudden changes in tempo. Instead, the music flows gently from one song to another, and the songs are paced to match breathing rhythms which in turn can help make breathing easier and lessen agitation.
Each Room 217 CD has unique qualities.
On Spirit Wings, Foster’s soothing voice and delicate touch on the piano, coupled with the warm, sensitive sounds of James Isaacs’ oboe and English horn, provide a sweet, flowing ribbon of hope and beauty. The music combines traditional with more contemporary selections.
Gentle Waters is a totally instrumental CD, gently weaving together Bev Foster’s calming notes on the piano with the warm sound of Wendy Solomon’s cello. The mix extends from Beatles to folk songs to faith songs to classical.
Celtic Whisperings artistically blends Foster’s voice with the gentle sound of Sharlene Wallace’s harp and James Isaacs’ Celtic whistles. Traditional Irish, Scottish and Welsh favourites comprise this album, woven in a ribbon of delicate beauty.
CDs are available at www.room217.ca, or by calling Indie Pool at 1-888-884-6343 or in Toronto, Canada 4l6-424-4666. U.S. and Canadian orders can also be placed with CD Baby at 1-800-Buy-My-CD (1-800-289-6923).
About Bev Foster:
Bev Foster, B.Ed., B.Mus., A.R.C.T., A.Mus. has more than twenty-five years experience as a performer, songwriter and music educator. She enjoys a successful and varied musical career. Bev has been the executive director of the Ontario Vocal Festival and accompanist for the Orpheus Choir of Toronto. Currently she is involved in a series called ENTRE AMIS and has recently launched a solo album of original music called TRUSTPOINTS, for which she received a Shai nomination. Bev is President of Strongheart Inc., the independent label company for Room 217.
About Room 217:
Room 217 is a unique musical resource of CDs that has been specifically designed to create a pathway of comfort for those with a life-challenging illness. It may also provide support to those with complex care needs, those facing stressful times in their lives and those seeking support through music in their own life journey. Currently, Room 217 has three CDs available: Spirit Wings, Gentle Waters and Celtic Whisperings. The CDs are available for purchase from the website: at www.room217.ca or at major music and bookstores across Canada, and at 1–888–884–6343.
Room 217 Vision:
There are moments in life when the pain of saying goodbye to someone you love, or the despair mental illness can bring, or the daily stress of 21st century living, can be overwhelming. Music is a powerful medium and can reach into the depths of the human soul. I see the need, particularly in palliative situations, for a uniquely designed, musical product which can offer hope for despair, beauty for sterile environments and gentleness in the face of harsh realities.
Room 217 is a series of musical CDs whose purpose is to be a resource to caregivers and a comfort for those with life challenging illnesses. My vision is to have a library of Room 217 CDs with tremendous breadth and musical variety contained in their own display unit for easy access at nursing stations, in spiritual centres, with recreational therapists, and in hospice and grief centres around the globe and to make them broadly available in retail and over the website for purchase by families and friends for those who are being cared for at home.
Room 217 Mission:
Room 217 exists to produce and distribute musical CD resources that bring hope, beauty and gentleness to the end of life's journey. It can also provide comfort to those with complex care needs, those facing stressful times in their lives, and those who are seeking support through music in their own life journey.
Here’s what people are saying about Room 217:
Long term care homes are acutely aware of the importance of music in our daily lives. Music is the international language used to stimulate fond memories, to calm agitation and anxiety, and to bring enjoyment and excitement to those living in care facilities. Our residents find this music spiritually uplifting, and enjoy "Room 217" during quiet times alone in their rooms, and as background music and during a variety of programs. Our staff love its calming warmth to break up their hectic days.
Heather Colyer, Administrator, Wellesley Central Place, Toronto, Ontario
We have used Room 217 with patients very successfully. I think that music can make a big difference.
Dr. Brian Berger, MD, CCFP, ABHPM, Richmond Hill, Ontario
I think these CDs will be very useful in the palliative care setting and I have ordered a set for my ward. They’re already downloaded onto my personal iPod.
Roger Woodruff, Director of Palliative Care, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
We have Room 217 Spirit Wings on all four floors at Toronto Grace Hospital. It is beautiful, comforting music and I think it is a great resource. We have used it with patients and their family and it made a big difference to them. I love the CD and the Room 217 concept.
Major Phyllis Bobbitt, Director of Spiritual Care, Toronto Grace Hospital, Toronto, Ontario
Room 217 has been an amazing tool! I have used it with my 71 year old mother, who is a stroke survivor, and it really struck a chord with her. I have meditated to it, played it during my children's creative play time, and entertained with it on. I have never listened to less-intrusive but completely comforting music in my life.
Patty Bowman Kingsley, Bowmanville, Ontario
The low register, low-voice instruments and slow tempo (on Gentle Waters) is exactly what is needed in our high-pitched, high-stressed world. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Anita Foged, Innisfail, Alberta
To: Room 217 From: Room 331 Thank you so much for your inspirational CD, Spirit Wings. The CD was donated to York Hospital and still in the wrapper when a nurse asked us if we would like to play it for my dear friend and mother-in-law on her final days. For six days we played it, every moment, day and night. We also played it at the viewing, funeral and the tea. It is such a beautiful collection of songs and everyone of all faiths have commented on a job well done on your part. I will be purchasing the other two CD's very soon. Thank you again and I know my dear friend Ruth thanks you also.
Sharon Sedore
I have seen Room 217 work with the dying and others. It touches the human heart, something deep within. It is comforting, calming and provides people, whether they are dying or not, with the opportunity to have a healthy reflection on the history of their life.
Rev. Brent Stiller, Port Perry, Ontario
Spirit Wings is soothing and calming, taking you on a spiritual journey that reconnects your soul and your spirit to truth. It reawakens the heart to love and light in a delicate and hope-filled way. As a Massage Therapist, I use Spirit Wings as relaxation music during treatments and find that its continuous play allows my clients to enter a meditative state and a deeper relaxation while still being present in their own physical and emotional bodies. Everyone experiences loss, change, transition and grief in life; this CD coaches us, leads us through those times and reminds us of our purpose. Bev has created a beautiful atmosphere with this gift for everyone on life's journey. Bev, thank you for your purpose-filled gift and for having the courage to bring it to life.
Juli Conard, RMT
I enjoyed the way one piece would flow into another. Celtic Whisperings reminded me of my childhood, gathered around the piano, having a sing-song with friends and family.
Erma Maw, Pickering, Ontario
Thanks for an awesome collection. I hope there will be more to come.
A.T.