Music-Thanatology is a musical/clinical practice that unites music and medicine in end of life care. The music-thanatologist utilizes harp and voice at the bedside to lovingly serve the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of the dying and their loved ones with prescriptive music.Prescriptive music is live music that responds to physiological changes observed in the patient moment by moment. For example, by observing vital signs such as heart rate, the music-thanatologist provides a musical prescription that is tailored to each specific situation. The warmth of this living music can bring solace, dignity and grace to those nearing the ultimate journey at the end of life.This music can help to ease the physical symptoms such as pain, restlessness, agitation, sleeplessness and labored breathing. It offers an atmosphere of serenity and comfort that can be profoundly soothing for those present. Difficult emotions such as anger, fear, sadness and grief can be relieved as listeners enter into a musical presence of beauty, intimacy and compassion.Music-Thanatology is not intended to entertain or distract the patient. Instead this music allows the patient to enter into the unbinding process of letting go in his or her very own personal way.In general, the music is quiet, restful and meditative. This music, referred to in Music-Thanatology as prescriptive music, is in fact music which is prescriptively delivered and is more specific to individual patient needs based on observations of the patients vital signs and overall affect. While there is a place for commonly known music or old favorites during many phases of life, music-thanatologists will consciously steer away from familiar music toward music that is unassociated with particular memories, thoughts or feelings. This approach encourages the listener to simply receive on a deep level.Whether conscious or unconscious, the music is patient directed since we connect at the level of breath, pulse, pain, effort and tension. In addition to this medical delivery of music, the music seeks to be an expression of beauty and love; and as such, it transcends diverse affiliations of faith and culture.Since antiquity, music and medicine have a long tradition as allies in healing. Music-Thanatology is a contemporary field rooted in that same tradition. Many physicians, nurses and caregivers welcome music vigils as an integral form of care for relieving suffering and bringing comfort for their patients and families.Editors Note: Christine Jones, CM-Th, M.I.S., B.A., is a certified Music-Thanatologist living and working in the state of Utah and may be reached by email at lyricalharp.jones@gmail.com

Aid & Attendance was established in 1952 to provide financial assistance to wartime veterans and/or their surviving spouses who lack the funds necessary to pay for the care they require with routine activities of daily living.Those who served our country during the following wars (whether overseas or stateside) are eligible for a special payment to assist them with providing care for themselves, a spouse or surviving spouse: WWII, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, or the first Gulf War.This pension is designed to help the veteran pay for the assistance of someone to help them with the activities of daily living such as medication management, dressing, mobility, meal preparation, or bathing. Care can be provided at home, in an independent living facility, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home and the care can be provided by relatives, or professional staff.A single veteran may receive up to $19,728 per year. While a married Veteran may receive $23,388. The benefit for a surviving spouse of a veteran is $12,672 per year. This pension is payable monthly and is paid directly to the veteran or spouses bank account similar to a social security check , it is completely TAX FREE.Many veterans or their surviving spouses require the assistance of someone to come in to help them with things such as cooking, cleaning, driving to appointments etc. while at the same time helping them with some personal care. Many of these seniors prefer to stay at home but cannot afford to have someone help them with these activities. With this tax-free pension, they would be able to afford the assistance they need in home or move into a facility that provides them with the care they need.If you served our country during a period of war, check out your eligibility for this benefit.If you require assistance at home, if you currently live in a senior retirement community or assisted living facility, or if nursing care is inevitable, you may be able to increase your standard of living or move into the type of facility where you can receive the care you need.www.veteransofutah.comThis article was submitted by Carole Autry of SeniorCare Associates. She can be reached at 801-424-1444

What AMG Senior Medical Group Delivers:We provide a clinic visit in the comfort of your own home, whether that be in an assisted or independent living facility, or even in your residential home.We coordinate provider visits and can work directly with your Primary Care Physician to make a cohesive team.Our medical group approach rotates call coverage among our providers; you can call us 24/7/365.We provide scheduled times and will make appointment reminder calls to you and your family.We provide you and your family with access to our online patient portal, here you can view visit notes, message your provider, request medication refills and even pay your bill.What you can receive by using AMG Senior Medical Group:Increased patient and family satisfaction.Increased care and communication between the patient and provider more personalized visits.Increased continuity of medication management.Increased patient quality of life including being happier and staying longer at home.We provide you and your family with access to our online patient portal, here you can view visit notes, message your provider, request medication refills and even pay your bill.Decreased transportation scheduling.Less stress and confusion for the patient and family members with the continuum of care, which means keeping the same practitioner if transitioned to home health or hospice.

Lets chat about Powers of Attorney. While the information contained in this post might be applicable to you, it might also be applicable to your elderly relatives, so, read this with them in mind.You may be asking yourself (i) what is a Power of Attorney, and (ii) why would I need it? A Power of Attorney is a document that gives a person authority to act on your behalf, thus becoming your Attorney-in-Fact. The Power of Attorney document can be very specific or very broad. You can give your Attorney-in-Fact the power to handle your bank accounts, sell your real property, run your business or apply for public benefits. Or you can give them the specific power to sell one piece of property.Why do you need one? Because its a simple tool that allows your Attorney-in-Fact to handle your financial matters without entering into more complicated agreements, like a Trust. The Power of Attorney helps eliminate the need for a guardian or conservator. You should pick someone you trust to hold the legal authority to make decisions should you experience an unforeseen event like a stroke or car accident.There are four types of Powers of Attorney: A General Power of Attorney: allows the Attorney-in-Fact to act as you in dealing with financial accounts and managing personal finances. However, it is terminated upon your incapacitation. It can also be revoked. A Durable Power of Attorney: allows the Attorney-in-Fact to act on your behalf and includes a durability clause that keeps the Power of Attorney in place after you become incapacitated. A Special or Limited Power of Attorney: this is when you have given the Attorney-in-Fact very specific powers which limit their authority and responsibility.A Springing Durable Power of Attorney: this only becomes effective upon your incapacitation. In Utah, a Power of Attorney is considered durable unless it expressly states that it terminates upon your incapacitation. As is so whenever you write a legal document, you have choices to make. So, you need to be clear about what you truly want your Power of Attorney to do for you. Some additional important points about Powers of Attorney are:The power must be given, it is not something you can obtain over someone on your own.In order to create one, you must have the legal capacity to understand the authority that you are assigning to someone.The Attorney-in-Fact only has the authority to do those things that are designated in the document.The appointed person must make decisions the way you want. They cannot follow their own desires when representing you.Once again, while you could certainly benefit from a Power of Attorney, there might be someone in your life who needs one right now. Whether you would like to have a Power of Attorney ready for use in the future, or whether you have a loved one who could benefit from one right now, call us today to set up your free consultation.