Caring for the whole person, body, mind, and spirit.
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Our Circle of Care therapies can help reduce fear and anxiety, enhance relaxation, and improve well-being.
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They help connect patients to happy memories and offer a means of expression when words no longer suffice.
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They are offered by licensed and credentialed professionals.
Art Therapy
Art Therapy is a gentle, creative way for hospice patients to express themselves. Our patients and our art therapist come together to make art in many forms, from drawing, painting, sculpting, and more. Art therapy provides an outlet for patients to express how they are feeling without words and allows them to create pieces of art to leave behind for loved ones.
Music Therapy
Our music therapists personalize experiences around music to connect with patients in our care, facilitate their well-being, and bring back good memories. This could include singing, playing, writing, or just listening to music. These activities can help inspire a patient to think about relationships and events in their life. Beyond that, singing with others can create a feeling of togetherness and help relieve anxiety and the fear of being alone.
Massage Therapy
Our certified Massage Therapists use gentle therapeutic massage to relieve tension, reduce pain, improve mobility, and boost a patient’s mood. By promoting relaxation and alleviating physical discomfort, massage therapy often leads to better sleep, improved mental health, and an overall enhanced quality of life.
Reiki Therapy
Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive therapy that focuses on comfort, relaxation, and emotional well-being. During a Reiki session, our trained practitioner lightly places their hands on or just above the patient’s body to help promote a sense of calm and peace. This helps hospice patients relieve anxiety, improves mood, and supports sleep.
Why is the Harbor Hospice Foundation raising money for Circle of Care?
The therapy options we offer through our Circle of Care are not covered by traditional funding sources, like Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance. These four therapies are available to patients in our care at no additional charge. So it is then up to the Harbor Hospice Foundation to raise funds to support and sustain them. To do this, we rely on donations to cover the costs.
Your donation will help cover:
Supplies
Just like an art or music class, our therapists continuously need supplies to continue to give our patients a tailored experience.
Continued Education
Our therapists are licensed and certified to provide care for hospice patients, and this requires consistent training and learning opportunities to best support patients.
New Tools
The complementary therapies we offer are always changing, and we want to be able to provide even more therapy options to do this. This could mean hiring more staff, new equipment, and education for the rest of our staff to offer referrals for new therapy options.
Stories of Impact
Art Therapy Joy
After entering Harbor’s care, Diane’s mother started to lose her spark. After experiencing art therapy, she regained a sense of joy. During her sessions, she created over a dozen bird houses, some of which are still on display at the Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence.
Reiki Supporting Grief Therapy Journey
Theresa first learned about Reiki through her own grief journey and wanted to share that experience with Hospice patients, so they can feel relaxed and cared for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Circle of Care is Harbor Hospice’s holistic approach to hospice care that surrounds patients and families with comfort, compassion, and dignity. It integrates medical care with four complementary therapies—art therapy, music therapy, massage therapy, and Reiki Therapy—to support the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients at the end of life.
You can receive treatment from your doctor to cure your medical condition while the Harbor Palliative Care team treats pain and other symptoms caused by your treatment or your medical condition. The team at Harbor Palliative Care will partner with you, your doctor, and those around you to learn your personal goals and design a plan for you.
Hospice patients often face more than physical symptoms. Anxiety, fear, isolation, emotional distress, and spiritual questions are common at the end of life. The Circle of Care addresses the whole person, helping patients find comfort, meaning, expression, and peace during a deeply vulnerable time.
The Circle of Care includes:
- Art Therapy – Helps patients express emotions, reflect on memories, and communicate in non-verbal ways.
- Music Therapy – Uses personalized music to evoke memories, reduce anxiety, and bring comfort.
- Massage Therapy – Promotes relaxation, eases pain, and provides soothing physical comfort.
- Reiki Therapy – A gentle, non-invasive therapy that supports emotional, spiritual, and energetic well-being.
Each therapy meets patients where they are and is adapted to their individual needs and abilities.
While hospice medical care is largely covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance, complementary therapies are not fully reimbursed. Philanthropic support through the Harbor Hospice Foundation makes it possible to offer these vital services to every patient who may benefit, regardless of financial means.
Hospice patients across West Michigan benefit directly, and families benefit as well. These therapies often create meaningful moments, reduce distress, and foster connection, leaving families with memories of comfort, peace, and love during a difficult time.
Complementary therapies are offered by trained professionals as part of Harbor Hospice’s interdisciplinary care team. Services are coordinated based on patient needs, goals, and wishes, and are delivered in homes, nursing facilities, or the Leila and Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence.