1:1 Creative Connection Guide: Music at the Bedside
- Taylor Kurta
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Description: In end-of-life and resting moments, music becomes more than sound - it becomes presence. A familiar melody, a soft hum, or shared stillness can communicate what words cannot. This guide invites you to use music as a bridge of compassion, supporting comfort, dignity, and connection at the bedside.
Materials Needed:
Bluetooth speaker (can use phone speaker if needed)
How to Start the Conversation:
(if the person is alert and receptive)
“Would you like to listen to some gentle music together?”
“Is there a song that feels comforting to you?”
(if the person is resting or non-verbal)
Offer gentle presence - soft touch (if appropriate), humming, or playing soft music.
Match your pace to their breathing or mood.
When words aren’t needed, use tone and stillness to create calm - being present through sound rather than speech.
Creative Engagement Ideas:
Personalized Playlist: Build a short bedside playlist of comforting or meaningful songs, guided by family or staff. Include pieces that reflect the person’s preferences, faith background, or musical era.
Personalized Music Biography: Invite family or friends to share the person’s favourite songs, artists, or memories connected to music. Note songs tied to key life moments (i.e., weddings, travel, cultural traditions) and use them to create a simple “musical timeline” you can draw from in future visits.
Incorporate Family Voices: If possible, include short recordings of family members saying hello, reading a poem, or singing a familiar refrain. Incorporating familiar voices can provide reassurance and a sense of closeness even when loved ones can’t be present.
Keep in Mind:
Music at the bedside is about attunement - noticing how each person responds in their own way. Reactions may be subtle, but each cue offers insight into comfort and connection.
Watch and listen for:
Changes in breathing or facial expression (softening, slowing, sighing)
Small hand or finger movements, gentle humming, or a shift in posture
Eye contact, tears, or relaxed stillness (signs of emotional release or peace)
Restlessness or withdrawal (a cue to change songs, reduce volume, or pause)
Family members’ emotions (music may evoke memories and feelings for them, too)
Remember: There’s no “right” response. Sometimes the most meaningful connection comes in shared quiet, a single note, or the steady rhythm of breathing together. Let the person’s presence guide your pace, volume, and tone, and let the music simply hold space for what is needed.
