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This July, Hospicare Music Program Coordinator Jayne Demakos became a Certified Therapeutic Harp Practitioner. We invited her to discuss her new certification and what it means for music therapy at Hospicare. Thank you, Jayne, for all you do for patients and families!


I began my training through the Chalice of Repose Project, a three-year intensive program in Music Thanatology (music for the dying). After two years I transferred to the International Harp Therapy Program.

Therapeutic musicianship is a fast emerging field, with a number of programs throughout the country approved through the National Standard Board of Therapeutic Musicians. Many states (including New York) require that employed therapeutic bedside musicians be certified through a recognized program.

So it became a necessity for Hospicare that I be certified. Granted, having a music practitioner on staff is not a necessity and shows Hospicare's vision, spurred by former Executive Director Nina Miller, who first hired me.

We offer patients a deep level of care through complementary therapies, which also include acupuncture and massage. Hospicare's continuing innovation is reflected in the decision to join leading health care facilities across the country by including complementary therapies as a routine part of patient care.

My responsibilities at Hospicare as a therapeutic musician (harp and voice) include education and advocacy regarding the use of therapeutic music as a complementary medicine. Music in this capacity is referred to as prescriptive music and can address many symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, pain management, nausea, bowel issues, and depression, among others. It can also support the "unbinding" process when death becomes imminent.

Family members and caregivers can also benefit from the presence of harp at the bedside, getting much needed rest and an opportunity to be with their loved one in a non-verbal way while harp music surrounds them.

Lastly -- and so importantly, I feel -- the presence of harp and voice offers the gift of grace and beauty in the midst of this profound moment for individuals and families. And that is a gift we can all use in our lives.

Join us for Sounding Through Grief, 5:30-7:00 PM each Tuesday from 10/9 to 11/13.

Borrowing from various traditions where music is an integral part of expressing grief, we will explore song and sound with an emphasis on simple emotional expression.

Songs are simple and will be taught and sung in sessions. Additional singers will be present to support members of the group. Members need not be practiced singers or musically experienced; all welcome.

Led by Hospice and Community Bereavement Counselor Kira Lallas, LMSW, and Music Program Coordinator Jayne Demakos, CTHP.

Free and open to the public, but please register ASAP. Contact Kira at 607-272-0212 or klallas@hospicare.org.

To avoid conflict with this group, the November meeting of Women Singin' is canceled.

Although this year's Women Swimmin' is behind us, donations continue to trickle in.

As of this writing, we've raised over $366,000. To put things in perspective, that's more than $1,000 a day for an entire year!

That a lone fundraising event in a small community can see such generosity is staggering, and speaks to the dedication of all who make Women Swimmin' happen.

Our thanks to all of you!

October dates include:

• Registration deadline for Sounding Through Grief - ASAP (group begins 10/9; 5:30-7 PM) 
• Women Singin' - 10/2; 5:30-7 PM  
• Evening Bereavement Support Group - 10/3 & 10/17; 5:30-7 PM
• Mindfulness Practice - Wednesdays; 7:30-9 PM
• Registration deadline for Good Grief Event - 10/10 (event occurs 10/13; 1-4 PM) 
• Tuesday Lunch Group - 10/9; 12 PM
• Registration deadline for Grief 101: Supporting Another in Loss - 10/17 (event occurs 10/22; 12-1:30 PM) 
• Wednesday Breakfast Group - 10/24; 8:30 AM