Care Beyond Medicine

Pet, horticulture, massage and music therapy

This story appears in our community newsletter, Community Connect, along with a complete list of upcoming classes and events.   Read the current issue here.  

You may know about BJC HealthCare’s commitment to providing compassionate, expert care in their St. Charles County hospitals. But did you know that patients also have access to free, restorative therapies and healing programs thanks to the Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West Foundation?

The Foundation supports patients and caregivers alike through many free programs like music therapy and yoga. For Carolyn Schlueter, 78, of St. Charles, these programs have made a dramatic impact on her overall health and happiness.

A patient at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, Carolyn has faced three different cancers: kidney cancer, colorectal cancer and most recently, lung cancer.

Despite these hardships, Carolyn remains upbeat and joyful. She says she’s always been positive, but she’s even more encouraged now — partly because of the support provided to her through the Foundation.

"Of course, I don’t look forward to the treatment,” says Carolyn. "But the long day of chemo is always brightened when the Foundation brings in their wonderful, dedicated volunteers to cheer us up … and do they ever!”

SUPPORT THROUGH FREE PROGRAMS
Patients facing extensive recovery or treatment plans may spend many hours at the hospital. For patients like Carolyn, whose appointments may span an entire day, a visit from a furry friend or a rendition of a favorite song on the guitar can provide some relief and enjoyment during an otherwise long day.

Carolyn takes part in many of these programs, but one of her favorites is massage therapy from a certified masseuse. “She’s so attuned with the body and can pinpoint exactly what areas to target,” says Carolyn. “I’ve seen a tremendous difference, and I feel so at peace afterwards.”

Therapeutic horticulture, or plant therapy, brightens the day for many patients. A therapeutic horticulture instructor for the Missouri Botanical Garden offers patients the chance to build their own bouquets or potted plants or make their own blend of herbal tea, right at their bedside.

Megan Smith, a registered nurse at Progress West Hospital, has seen the impact of this therapy firsthand. One patient shared with Megan that her favorite hobby was gardening. “The plant therapist visited her, and it made her whole day. She showed everyone who came in her room the beautiful flowers she’d been given.”

Megan also notes how beneficial music therapy has been for her patients and their families. “I love the music therapy — not only because I love music, but because I’ve watched its impact on patients,” says Megan. “Once the music begins, their whole attitude can change.”

Megan was caring for a nonverbal patient with advanced dementia who used to play piano and sing. When the music started, she began to sing along. “It was so impactful for her daughter, because the patient can’t communicate, but they could connect this way. You could see how much that meant to both of them.”

At Siteman, Carolyn and other patients can also enjoy the company of specially trained therapy dogs like Lollipop, pictured below. In partnership with the Duo TOUCH (Therapy of Unique Canine Helpers) program, certified volunteers and their trained dogs of many breeds and sizes visit with patients and families during stressful and tiring treatment times.

The Foundation continues to expand its support for patients and families through new program offerings such as yoga.  “It’s about supporting wellness and a health-filled life. You cannot underestimate the impact of wellness of the whole person,” says Linda Haberstroh, chairman of the board for the Foundation and a breast cancer survivor. “It gives so many patients the strength to thrive through treatment.”