In the hospice unit at the Henry Mayo Memorial Hospital in Valencia, California, Jared Axen, also known as “the singing nurse,” is making a difference in people’s lives. Recently, Axen began singing to his patients, and the outcomes have been astounding:
“I can use this to personalize someone’s care… to get close to them a little bit.”
In a place where they had gone to spend their final days, many of the patients at his facility have been displaying amazing signs of life. Axen has seen that since he began singing to his patients, they have requested fewer pain medications, have been more active, and smile more frequently.
One of Axen’s patients, Norma Laskoske, attested to his sincerity: “He has a great, soothing voice… You can tell he’s singing to you when he looks at you.
“It’s easy to put on a TV and walk away, but it’s personal if you can sit down, talk with them, sing with them, tell them some jokes… just something to assist them get their minds off the pain while their medication is kicking in,” said Axen while explaining his reason.
And it truly does work.
Just watch the touching video below: