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Welcome
by Bev Foster B.Mus, B.Ed, A.R.C.T., A.Mus
Welcome to the 10th issue of DOORWAY to Room 217. I am delighted to announce the launch of Room 217’s new companion DVD, Recollections. It has been created in response to care providers who have asked us to add images to our CD collection especially for play on closed circuit television and in eldercare. Please read the review about Recollections and consider adding it to your resources.
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Using Music for Relaxation
Lisa Gallagher, MA, MT-BC, NMT, Clinical Research & Music Therapist, Cleveland Clinic, Instructor/Supervisor, Cleveland Music Therapy Consortium, Treasurer, Great Lakes Region American Music Therapy Association
Music is often an integral part of people’s daily lives. It is found in the background of television shows, commercials, movies, stores, elevators, waiting areas, etc., and it is a part of cultural rituals such as weddings and funerals. When many people leave work after a stressful day they turn the radio on in their cars in order to relax and unwind on their way home. There are many reasons for why people turn to music for relaxation. Relaxing through the use of music can help with preparing for or decompressing after a long day, decreasing or coping with anxiety, stress, tension, burnout and pain, preparing for and recovering after surgery, reducing breathing difficulties and assisting with insomnia.
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The Experience of Providing Music Therapy within Palliative Care
Jill Kennedy-Tufts, BA, BMT, St. Joseph’s Health Care, Parkwood Hospital Palliative Care Unit
“Joy, sorrow, tears, lamentation, laughter – to all these music gives voice, but in such a way that we are transported from the world of unrest to a world of peace, and see reality in a new way.”
Albert Schweitzer
It has been a most rewarding, fulfilling journey for me to provide music therapy services to palliative patients. Within the palliative care setting, music therapy offers a uniquely creative, often powerful therapeutic tool which is of benefit to patients and their loved ones. Although the primary goal of music therapy is to optimize quality of life for palliative patients and their loved ones, there are many specific benefits to providing music therapy within this setting that are best illustrated within the case studies shared later in this article. Most commonly, the modalities used include singing, song-writing, improvisation (using voice and/or instruments), guided imaging to music, listening/lyric analysis, instrument playing, and the creation of legacy work.
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Book Review: The Spiritual Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Case for the Existence of the Soul
Mario Beauregard & Denyse O’Leary, HarperCollins Canada: 2008, 384pp
This book will appeal to persons trained in the material realities of the sciences; but who nevertheless desire to creatively integrate spiritual realities as well. "Many people in present-day societies long to develop their spiritual side," say Beauregard and O'Leary, authors of The Spiritual Brain, "but they wonder if it really exists." Readers of this breakthrough study are helped to recognize that a spiritual dimension to human life does indeed exist because of its effects, and that these effects can change lives.
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Confused, Restless, Agitated – Can We Cope?
Margaret Van Dyck, RN, BScN, CHPCN
The confusion, restlessness and agitation often experienced by people near the end of their life present a huge challenge for family and professional caregivers. These symptoms can often escalate to a crisis point, when family members feel they can no longer cope, especially if they have been caring for the individual at home. When it appears that emotions might spin out of control, it becomes necessary to assess carefully what is actually occurring, in order to determine how best to develop various possible solutions for relief of the distress. As with pain and other symptoms, we need to remain encouraged that relief of the suffering can be achieved.
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Rooms Around the World
Profiles hospices, hospitals, long term care facilities and people using or beginning to use music in therapeutic ways. If your organization would like to be featured in Rooms Around the World send us a picture and share a unique aspect of it with our readers. This issue: Playing at the Threshold: Therapeutic Clowns, Toronto, Ontario
Friends of Music Therapy Program: SickKids Hospital,
Toronto, Ontario
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Music Note
Music Note tells the story behind the songs of Room 217. Recollections™ DVD, Room 217 (Music) Various Artists (Photography), Running Time: 61:00 Recollections™ is a collection of beautiful images accompanied by the gentle music of Room 217’s Classic Comfort album. The sounds of timeless classical melodies are reflected in the sights of familiar scenes. This dual sensory stimulation paced at a slower tempo provides an opportunity for pleasure, connection, reminiscence, review, storytelling, comfort and therapeutic support along life’s journey.
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A Life Well Lived
The Healing Power of the Music
Home to Newfoundland
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Recollections™
Companion DVD provides 61 minutes of beautiful images accompanied by the gentle music of
Room 217. 
Click here to order.
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About Room 217’s Facebook PageRoom 217 has entered the social networking world. Visit us at the Room 217 Foundation Page and become a fan. 
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About Recollections DVDRecollections is a NEW DVD - a collection of beautiful images accompanied by the gentle music of Room 217’s Classic Comfort album. The sounds of timeless classical melodies are reflected in the sights of familiar scenes. This dual sensory stimulation paced at a slower tempo provides an opportunity for pleasure, connection, reminiscence, review, storytelling, comfort and therapeutic support.
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About ApproachesApproaches is the first Greek online journal dedicated to the field of music therapy as well as special needs music education. Its vision is to advance scientific dialogue and inform a broad audience through the publication of articles and relevant research. 
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About Losing Our ParentsLosing Our Parents offers support and education to people who are coping with the declining health or death of a parent. Many people find that they can better understand and cope when they share their experiences and stories with others. Their website invites you to share your stories and celebrate the lives and gifts of the people you love. 
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… the power of music to integrate and cure…is quite fundamental. It is the profoundest nonchemical medication. Dr. Oliver Sacks
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