East End Arts Music by the Bedside Comes to Peconic Landing

East End Arts and Peconic Landing are pleased to announce the start of the “East End Arts Music by the Bedside” program. Hosted at Peconic Landing, the award-winning LifeCare retirement community in Greenport, this experiential music program brings one-on-one live music performances to the bedside of seniors receiving comfort care (palliative care). These special one-on-one sessions will be provided by local volunteer musicians including East End Arts music students and faculty, as well as musicians interested in participating in the program.

The “East End Arts Music by the Bedside” program is a collaboration between East End Arts musicians and The Shores at Peconic Landing, a skilled nursing center. Comfort care has many facets, and these musicians will help to foster feelings of peace and ease through the enjoyment of music. Whether a peaceful song, a quiet flute solo, or the sound of a violin – it can help seniors to connect with the soul, awaken memories, and enhance their quality of life.

While not medical caregivers, these East End Arts volunteers are specially trained to provide supportive end of life comfort treatment. When Peconic Landing’s caregivers deems it beneficial, the visiting musician will meet seniors by the bedside and offer a song, a musical piece from their own repertoire, or even take a special request. These musicians will help provide seniors with comfort, emotional support, presence, and a connection that only music can provide.

Volunteer musicians will visit The Shores at Peconic Landing on the last Friday of every month, touring for approximately one hour. The program will begin Friday, October 30, featuring East End Arts School alumnus Sheree Elder, a unique composer, songwriter and vocalist.

Benefits of this program for patients include comfort, presence, emotional support, communication, engagement, joy, and support of physical well-being.

East End Arts Education Director Diane Giardi comments: “We are looking forward to a one-on-one sharing of music and time with Peconic Landing’s comfort care residents. This is an enrichment experience both for the receiver and the musicians themselves.”

Peconic Landing’s Executive Vice President and Administrator of Health Services Gregory J. Garrett said: “We see the therapeutic benefits of music first hand, and the connection our seniors have with it. Now, these members will have the opportunity to connect with the musicians as well. This is the start of a very meaningful program.

Peconic Landing President and CEO Robert J. Syron adds: “We are looking forward to providing our seniors with this unique and valuable program. We want to thank East End Arts and its volunteers for their time and efforts.”

There are numerous programs across the country that go by various names and provide music by the bedside for therapeutic purposes (i.e. Threshold Choir). These programs are an important part of a patient’s overall care and quality of life.

Quote by French writer Victor Hugo (1802-1885): “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”

East End Arts is looking for musician volunteers, which will prove to be a very rewarding experience for those who participate. If interested, email Diane Giardi, East End Arts Education Director or call 631-369-2171.

For more information about this program, visit the East End Arts program webpage.

Source: East End Arts press release dated Oct. 13, 2015.