Patient Leaves Lasting Legacy Through Heartbeat Song Thanks to Music Therapy

Dec 06, 2023

Irene Thomas faced many challenges as the result of her dementia diagnosis. Her family struggled to provide care, and they believe that Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) was an answer to their prayers. Team BCN coupled expert, compassionate clinical care with support from our integrative medicine team that helped boost Irene’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and allowed her to leave a meaningful legacy for her family. 

“The professionalism, the details, the persistent care for my mother from BCN had a huge impact on my mother's life, and I honestly believe that BCN helped my mother live longer because of their care,” Troy Thomas, Irene’s son, said. 


From bluegrass melodies to old-time tunes, music embodied the essence of Irene’s life. The songs she loved weaved together tales of her Eastern Kentucky heritage, community, resilience and traditions. As a clogger and square dancer, Irene taught dancing lessons for more than 65 years. She appeared on Country Music Television, played on a country music video and performed at the Grand Ole Opry twice. She also served as an “extra” in the iconic movie Coal Miner’s Daughter, depicting the life of music legend and Eastern Kentucky native, Loretta Lynn. 


“The day that BCN played music for my mother, her demeanor and the expression on her face changed noticeably, and you could see the joy and happiness on her face,” Troy said. “She moved her head back and forth, and you could tell for a moment that she was in her element listening to the guitar music and singing. It was a pure joy seeing her smile and relive her life.” 


Like many in the region, Irene lost treasured heirlooms, irreplaceable photographs and memories spanning a lifetime in the devastating Eastern Kentucky flood in 2022. Afterward, it seemed impossible for her to leave a legacy to her family, but our integrative medicine team stepped in to help. The team recorded Irene’s heartbeat, combined it with an original recording of Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” and created a Heartbeat Song for Irene and her family to cherish for generations to come. 


“Irene’s story reminds us that the legacy we all leave behind is not about the possessions we accumulate, but the lives we touch and the memories we create,” said Whitney Clay, Integrative Medicine Program Coordinator. “Our integrative medicine program is funded through the generosity of our Caring Community, and we are grateful for the timeless impact this program has on our patients and families.” 


As Irene’s family listened to Irene’s heartbeat song, they received a new kind of heirloom. 


“I am so grateful and so appreciative to BCN for going above and beyond to help people like my mother and to leave a legacy for me and my family as well,” Troy said. 


As with all our legacy making services, the Heartbeat Song program is not reimbursed through insurance, and is only made possible through the support of our Caring Community of donors. Irene is one of many patients who has found hope and left a legacy through these therapies. If you would like to join us in giving, please visit https://www.bgcarenav.org/donate or call 855.492.0812. 


Listen to Irene's Heartbeat Song, below.

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