The Poway Veterans Organization donated a piano to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in La Jolla, CA. PVO member Ed Berger presented the piano to VAMC Staff Member Judy Tellez and VAMC Volunteer Services Member R. C. Shields. This donated piano replaces a broken instrument and will be available for use by patients in the dining area of a second floor ward at the VAMC.
Music has proven to contribute to the patient healing process. Hospitals can be an unfamiliar and stressful environment and music provides patients with familiar experiences that reduce stress and promote positive coping. Music lifts the patient’s mood, reduces anxiety, raises motivation and helps combat insomnia and depression. Music physiologically affects heart rate, breathing and pulse rate resulting in an increased feeling of pleasure.