I’ve been singing since I was a baby. My mother tells me that I sang “Unchained Melody” from my playpen when I was just shy of my first birthday.  In high school, I sang in a garage band, a folk group, musicals, and numerous concerts.  Nursing wasn’t my first choice for a profession.  I really wanted to be a lounge singer. But practicality ruled supreme at the time and nursing got the nod.  At least I got to wear a uniform and a nursing cap!

Over the years, I’ve broken into song when caring for patients with dementia. I learned that singing old familiar songs help to allay anxiety for some of these patients. It’s heartwarming when I look into the eyes of someone who is happily singing with me when, moments ago, those same eyes were fearful and agitated. There have been times when my nursing colleagues have asked for my singing help.  I’ve softly sung into a previously combative patient’s ear, while an IV was being inserted.  During my pediatric home care days, singing was a first line of defense with some of my patients.  One 4-year-old wouldn’t stay still long enough for me to check her heart sounds.  After a few rounds of singing “I Think We’re Alone Now” from Tommy James and the Shondells, we had our own music video, which included a moment of auscultation during the lyrics “the beating of the heart is the only sound.”  Remember the ‘lub-dub’ in the chorus?

I had a young man in his 20’s in my home health aide supervision caseload.  Once a month I would visit him and attempt to take his blood pressure.  Despite the able assistance and cajoling of his aide, it was next to impossible to corral him for a BP.  I realized that pumping the cuff was too much for him.  During my next visit, I played Technotronic’s “Pump Up The Jam” and sang along.  Later on in the visit, I sang as the BP cuff was inflating.  Voila!  He stayed still long enough to get a reading.  From that visit on, when I came into his room, he would clap his hands and squeal “Pump Up The Jam!”

The holiday season is a wonderful time to bring some joy to your homebound patients with song.  How about breaking into a chorus of “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” as you’re dusting yourself off from a winter snow squall?  Try singing a few bars of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” with a recalcitrant patient.  The “Oh, you better watch out” line could be disarming at the right time.  Humming “Silent Night” during a painful dressing change may be soothing for some.  Jingle bells are fun to wear during the holiday season. They can also be good accompaniment with the “Jingle Bell” song while a patient does his/her strengthening exercises.

Some nurses tell me that they are too self-conscious to sing or they can’t hold a tune.   Here’s my response, taken directly from a line in the Joe Raposo song, “Sing”:

“Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear…Just sing…sing a song!”

Debra Bertrand, CHAMP Facilitator