Dove Palliative Care at Caloundra Hospital is celebrating
its 10th birthday following its major renovation and extension.
Wishlist has directed more than $200,000 to the
award-winning palliative care unit since inception, thanks to generous donors
and families who have used the service.
This includes a recent $16,000 boost to the music therapy
program by way of electronic equipment, landscaping and a dedicated Music
Therapy Room.
Music therapist Tracie Wicks said patient Wayne Miles
(pictured) was the inspiration behind the room.
"Having a space away from the hospital room, which is
very clinical and has lots of equipment, to a space that feels homely and
comfortable allows people to settle in and enjoy music therapy,” Ms Wicks said.
Music
therapy is a research-based practice in which music is used to actively support
a patient’s health and
wellbeing.
"We know that music is very strongly linked to our memory
centre, bringing back memories from our life, and that is often very important
for people facing the end of their life," she said.
"To sit back and review your life and think about your
achievements and milestones and talk about the people you love. For Wayne,
relating to songs is a way of expressing himself, telling his story."
The innovative
music therapy program started in 2016 and has become one of the most popular
services for patients and families who have received a terminal diagnosis.
