Music as Medicine

Music and Medicine come together at The Gardens at Kensington Health 

The Gardens at Kensington Health, Toronto, ON

There’s nothing like a live concert. For a moment in time, strangers come together to sing the same song, and when they leave, they feel lighter, more grounded and more connected.  

At The Gardens at Kensington Health, music therapy brings that same magic — and its healing power — into long-term care. 

Here, care goes beyond medicine. Music therapy is part of the holistic approach to health and healing that defines Ontario’s publicly funded long-term care system — where residents receive both 24/7 medical support and a strong sense of home. 

Run by Sarah and Joshua, the program is a resident favourite, and you’d be hard pressed to find a staff member who doesn’t perk up when the strum of an acoustic guitar starts to echo through the air. Families and visitors are welcome to join the sessions too — because community is part of care, and families remain active partners in residents’ well-being. 

This music therapy team knows every resident by name and their music room is stocked like a shop, linked with instruments for every taste. Beyond group sessions, Sarah and Joshua move from room to room, sing in the courtyard, or play guitar from balconies. They create personal songbooks and even help residents write original songs. 

“One-on-one interactions are so meaningful,” says Joshua, who supports residents through anxiety, depression, or isolation. “Using music and words to walk with them on this part of their journey matters deeply — to them and to us. We feel honoured.” 

As part of the care team, they see how music can reduce stress, ease pain, and spark memories for residents living with dementia or complex conditions — offering emotional and therapeutic benefits that complement medical care. 

Her work, alongside Joshua, helps staff and families understand residents in new ways — especially when health conditions change. It’s a reminder that long-term care is not only about treatment but about helping people live fully and meaningfully every day. 

The music therapy program at The Gardens at Kensington Health provides many residents with a sense of comfort and belonging. For residents nearing the end of life, Sarah and Joshua’s work ensures they feel seen, valued, and never alone. They also offer legacy work and songwriting with residents who wish to leave behind a piece of music that’s original to their life story and for their family.  

Programs like this show that Ontario’s long-term care homes are not just places of care — they are communities of compassion, creativity, and connection that play a vital role in our province’s healthcare system. 

Music has a way of saying what words can’t – bringing people together, lifting heavy hearts and turning quiet days into meaningful ones. It’s why Sarah believes every long-term care home should have music therapy.