Music Matters

Moreen Burkart is well acquainted with the positive influence music has on people’s lives. The board-certified music therapist has seen an 86-year-old Alzheimer’s patient find comfort and joy in being able to sing songs from his childhood. She has helped a mother grieving the loss of her 7-year-old daughter write a song that honors and remembers the young child’s life. She has seen the eyes of a hospice patient light up when she hears a favorite melody that sparks a special memory of a happy time and place.

“Music does more than just make us feel good. It also affects us physically, cognitively and spiritually. It’s important to me that people understand what music therapy is about,” says Burkart, who works for the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of the Treasure Coast. “There is an extensive amount of research that shows how music can lower blood pressure, reduce our perception of pain and increase endorphins. No other therapy can make such a powerful difference.”

The textbook version: Music therapy is the specialized use of music by a credentialed professional who develops an individual treatment plan with supportive interventions for people to address their social, communication, emotional, physical, cognitive, sensory and spiritual needs. Caregivers and families can also benefit from music therapy as they see their loved ones respond and improve.