Self-Actualization through Music Therapy for Older Adults at End of Life: A Philosophical Inquiry

The purpose of this philosophical inquiry was to make a case for why older adults need opportunities for self-actualization at end of life, and to understand why music therapy is an ideal avenue through which to facilitate these opportunities. An evolving approach to music therapy for neurotypical older adults at end of life was conceptualized by adapting Zalenski and Raspa’s (2006) framework for achieving human potential in hospice, which draws upon Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and situates self-actualization as an ultimate end-of-life care goal. This evolving music therapy approach, entitled Circle of Self-Actualization, includes six components: music therapy as pain management (to address older adults’ physiological needs), music therapy as a safe space (to address older adults’ safety needs), music therapy as connection (to address older adults’ belonging needs), music therapy as self-empowerment (to address older adults’ esteem needs), music therapy as meaning (to address older adults’ self-actualization needs), and music therapy as transformation (also to address older adults’ self-actualization needs). Limitations of the inquiry as well as potential implications for practice and research are presented. It is the researcher’s intent that the rationale and evolving approach presented in this paper will help music therapists to further recognize and support older adult clients in the realization of their needs for self-actualization at end of life