It isn’t uncommon for a music therapist to receive animated feedback from strangers about the job. I’ve been embraced, patted on the shoulder, affectionately named “The Music Lady”, and waved at by nature of the job title. It is my experience that folks generally feel affectionate towards music, and therefore by proxy, me. However, it is seldom that someone asks to hear more than the 10-second version of what a music therapist does. These interactions over time have led me to better understand how the general population perceives music therapy or even the inclusion of music into healthcare spaces. In general, folks tend to be optimistic, nostalgic, and supportive of the art and science of it all. At the same time, my experience has shown that there are fairy-tale ideas about music therapy that can be adjacent to these supportive sentiments. Many patients, families and colleagues are filled with visions from movies, the news or their imagination to understand how music interacts with health. One such myth is that music is always good and helpful, it will offer a tonic unlike any other that is exempt from unanticipated side effects or negative consequences. While I understand that it can be difficult to describe, this notion about music is simply untrue. It is high time that we honour the power of music enough to consider how that power presents risk for adverse consequences. These potential unintended consequences can fall under five categories, which I have adapted from Murakami’s work (2021 ): Risks about the present situation (i.e. context and best fit right now) Risks about the person’s relationship to this music (i.e. preference, memories) Risks about this person’s capacity for this music stimulus (i.e. sound science with level of functioning) Risks about the application of music by the Music Carer (i.e. Music Care competence) Risks about the person and the Music Carer (i.e. quality of relationship, trust) To decrease the likelihood of these, Music Carers must be vigilant, observing the relationships of each of these five areas regularly. One way to do this, is by adopting three practices when using a Music Care approach.

There are moments in life when words simply aren't enough. When someone you love is living with dementia or another condition that changes memory and communication, conversations can become difficult. Familiar faces may no longer be recognized. Shared stories may seem lost. Yet, remarkably, a simple song can reach places that words cannot. Music has an extraordinary ability to awaken memories, evoke emotions, and reconnect us to the people we love. A favourite melody can spark a smile, inspire conversation, encourage movement, or bring a sense of calm during moments of uncertainty. It reminds us that even when memory changes, the capacity to feel, connect, and experience joy often remains. This is the inspiration behind Without a Song, a moving tribute to the power of music in care. Written by legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Murray McLauchlan , Without a Song was dedicated to the Room 217 Foundation on its 10th anniversary in 2019. The song beautifully captures what caregivers, families, and healthcare professionals witness every day: music is far more than entertainment. It is a bridge to connection, comfort, and hope. That belief is at the heart of MUSIC CARE by Room 217. Through evidence-informed education, practical tools, and professional training, the organization is helping caregivers across Canada and around the world confidently integrate music into everyday care. Whether in long-term care, hospices, hospitals, community programs, or family homes, music becomes a trusted companion that supports both the person receiving care and those who care for them. The story behind the recording is just as inspiring as the song itself. Produced by Philip Janz at Hi Tyme Studios in Abbotsford, British Columbia, the recording features talented musicians who are part of the Room 217 community. But perhaps its most powerful moment came during the 19th MUSIC CARE CONFERENCE in November 2025. Inside Metalworks Studios in Mississauga, Ontario, 180 caregivers gathered to lend their voices to the song's background chorus. These were not professional singers. They were nurses, recreation professionals, therapists, care partners, and other caregivers who understand firsthand the impact music can have on the people they support every day. Together, their voices became a powerful reminder that caring is something we do together. Among those voices is Ontario's Minister of Long-Term Care, the Honourable Natalia Kusendova-Bashta who spoke to conference participants about the transformative role music can play in dementia care. Her voice, alongside those of 179 other caregivers, professionals, and advocates, became part of the recording—a meaningful symbol of a shared commitment to bringing music into care. The accompanying video, produced by Kelsey Blake Creative in Toronto, features actors connected through Room 217's certification program, reinforcing the message that music care is built through community, compassion, and shared purpose. At a time when healthcare continues to seek more person-centred approaches, Without a Song reminds us of something beautifully simple: music helps us remain connected to ourselves and to each other. It reaches beyond illness, beyond diagnosis, and beyond the limits of memory. Because sometimes, when words fail, a song can help us find our way home.  We invite you to watch Without a Song and experience the message for yourself.

There are moments in nursing that stay with us forever, and others that seem to pass by without much notice or fanfare. Many nurses, for example, vividly remember the excitement and nervous anticipation that accompanied their first job. In contrast, writing a first care plan rarely evokes the same intensity of emotion or lasting memory. Yet, care planning is a fundamental component of nursing practice. Effective care plans help the healthcare team communicate clearly, understand each member’s role, and collaborate in meeting the individualized needs of every resident. As a Registered Nurse, I have seen that personalized care can make a real difference in the lives of older adults. One simple but powerful example is planning music care. When music is intentionally added to a resident’s care plan, it becomes much more than entertainment. Music can be used as a therapeutic tool that improves comfort, connection, and quality of life. What makes music so valuable is that it is simple, easy to access, and adaptable to each person’s preferences. Music is at your finger tips with the use of Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, and other streaming services. In addition, programs like Music Care by Room 217 help healthcare teams excel in the safe and effective use of music in care. From a nursing perspective, music fits naturally into holistic care, which means caring for the whole person, not just their physical health. Nurses look at emotional, mental, social, and spiritual needs as well as physical symptoms. Music can support all of these areas. It can help reduce anxiety and agitation, encourage movement, improve mood, promote relaxation, and even lessen the feeling of pain. In long-term care, staff often support residents during vulnerable moments, such as personal care, transitions, or times of distress. Music can help these moments by creating calm and comfort. One resident experience clearly showed me how powerful music can be. This resident was living with dementia and had some communication deficits. As part of a quality improvement initiative at Glen Hill Terrac e, staff gathered more information about the resident’s musical preferences and created a personalized music-based care plan. The change was remarkable. During care, while this personalized musical list was playing, the resident started singing along with staff, engaging positively, and had enhanced verbal communication. Most importantly, music helped the resident reconnect with moments of joy. Quality care is about more than treating illness. It means supporting dignity, comfort, joy, and human connection. Music is a simple but powerful tool that reaches people in ways medicine alone cannot. When thoughtfully included in care plans, music becomes part of compassionate, person-centered approach to caring. Juanne George is the Director of Dementia Care at Glen Hill Terrace, a 160-bed Long-Term Care Home.

Music is everywhere. It plays in the background of waiting rooms, fills quiet spaces, and is often added to care environments with good intentions. But music care is not just about playing music. The difference is intention. In music care, intention means using music with a clear purpose. It is not just about what is playing, but why it is being used, when it is introduced, and how it supports the moment. It is the difference between turning on any playlist and choosing the right piece of music for what is happening right now. This shift may seem small, but it changes how music functions in care. When music is used intentionally, it moves from background to something that actively supports the care process. A familiar song used at the same time each day can help signal routine. A slower tempo can support calm during moments of agitation. An upbeat rhythm can encourage movement and participation. In each case, the music is doing something. It is not just filling space. It is supporting care. At its core, intentional music care can be understood in three connected ways: Use: How music is used in the moment Design: How music is structured and selected to support care Performance: How music is expressed and adapted to suit different settings and care scenarios 

As I begin my role with MUSIC CARE by Room 217 , I am also beginning my own learning journey in music care. My background is in healthcare education and program development, with previous roles at Carpenter Hospice and the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. In those settings, I had the opportunity to see music therapists at work and witness the impact that music can have in care environments. This week I began MUSIC CARE TRAINING Level 1 , the first level of standardized training offered through MUSIC CARE by Room 217. Even in the first part of the training, several ideas have already shifted how I think about music in care environments. One insight that stood out immediately came from the first session led by Dr. SarahRose Black , a music therapist, psychotherapist, and educator. She noted that music care is not limited to a specific professional role. A nurse manager who advocates for music care within their organization is also practicing music care. Creating the conditions where music can be used thoughtfully in care environments is itself a form of care practice. The same can be true for roles that people might not immediately associate with care practice. A receptionist who intentionally chooses calming music in a waiting area, or who notices how sound affects the mood of a space, can also influence the care environment in meaningful ways. In this sense, music care becomes less about a specific job title and more about an approach to how we shape the spaces where care happens. Another concept introduced in the training comes from music scholar Christopher Small , who described music not simply as a thing we listen to but as something we do. Small used the term “musicking” to describe the many ways people engage with music. This includes singing, listening, sharing songs, or creating musical moments together. In care settings, musicking can support connection, expression, and well-being. What struck me most, was a discussion about the soundscape of care environments. In many healthcare and long-term care settings, residents and patients have limited control over the sounds around them. Hallways can be busy. Alarms sound frequently. Televisions are often left on. Conversations carry across shared spaces. People naturally entrain to the rhythms and energy of their surroundings. Entrainment simply means that our bodies and emotions tend to sync with the patterns around us. When the environment is hectic or noisy, people may begin to feel unsettled or stressed. Dr. Black shared an example of an organization that, after completing the MUSIC CARE CERTIFY program, implemented an environmental sound policy to help regulate what influences the soundscape of their care environment. As she noted, “music can be a positive form of entrainment.” By intentionally shaping the sound environment, including the thoughtful use of music, care spaces can begin to shift from chaotic to supportive. In this context, music is not simply entertainment. It becomes part of how care environments are designed to support well-being. Music care is less about adding something new and more about bringing intention to something deeply human. It asks us to pay attention to our relationship with music and how it shapes the spaces where care happens.