Subtle yet Powerful

Tuesday, July 1st!!!!!  Going to be a Summer Scorcher today, Yaaaayyyyy

Yesterday was my first day using my 2 Donated IPODS (thank you thank you) for my Project at work, Music and Memory.  Yesterday was one of 2 days a week that I am with my Companion so first things first….find her and check her condition and needs.  I have grown to love this lady so much and her wonderful family is one to model after.  My Companion, has someone everyday to advocate for her….a necessity when placed in a Facility, I don't care how new/old/cheap/expensive the Facility is, you MUST be there for your loved one.

So after snatching my Companion from the Dining Room (lol) I took her to the Day Room to be with other Patients and wanted her to also be a part of this experience.  There was a Elder gentleman (I use the term ELDER out of respect for his age and what he has offered this world so far) in the room that I was not familiar with.  In the room was also a Nurse who was Charting and one 2 other Patients, both of them I know well.

I approached the Elder, Mr. A, and asked if he liked music?  He said, "yes, music" so I asked if he'd like to listen to some music and he smiled and said, "yes I like music."  So the first IPOD was set on General Vintage Music….tunes from the 30's, 40's and 50's.  I might add, there was NO response from the Nurse, good or bad….I could have been invisible in that room.  I did try to converse with him, during my time with these Patients, but the most I got back from him was a grin…VERY disappointing and unfortunately, the norm!  Now big deal, so what, doesn't matter

So back to my IPOD….I put the Headphones on him and asked if he could hear it ok….(they are locked so the volume can't go too high) and he smiled and said yes….so I sat down and watched.  He put his hand under his chin and just listened….sometimes he smiled, as he remembered the tunes…then he started wiping his eyes…so I got up and gave him a tissue.  I removed the Headphones and asked if he was enjoying the music and he said, "yes, I love music" and I asked if he wanted to continue to listen and he said, "yes".  So I put them back on.  Now remember, the Nurse is sitting 2 feet away and could care less that this patient was joyful and remembering.  As I sat across from him, I saw him remove one foot from the wheelchair and start tapping it on the floor….it was 35 minutes of pure love and joy for this man.  When I removed the headphones I gave him a huge hug and told him that was enough for one day and would he like to have more music again, to which he said, "yes, I love having music".

While Mr. A was listening, so was my Companion, but she was listening to her CD Player and to a CD I had made her of Harp Music as a Christmas Gift.  I had one more IPOD and Miss H. was sitting off by herself so I asked her if she would like to listen.  I just love this lady, she is sooooo happy all the time.  She doesn't start a conversation but if you take the time to stop and talk to her she will joyfully respond…so she said, "well yes, I'll have some music"….headphones on and her playlist was Gospel Music.  OH MY….she came alive…..tapping her foot, tapping her hand on the arm of the wheelchair and humming to the music.  Again…Nurse sitting 2 feet away, totally ignoring what was happening in this room.  I sat for 45 minutes watching and taking notes…..this was CLEARLY a moving experience for all of these patients.  I can only imagine what their lives would be like if they had this everyday.

For all  the joy I saw, I was saddened by the lack of interaction from the Nurse.  There was another male patient in the room that can get cranky and loud.  He was asking to go to his room and finally they came and took him….but I wanted to try the IPODS on him so I mentioned to the Nurse that I could do that first and he looked up and said, "it's time for his meds".   Meds, the first line of intervention….not conversation, compassion or music…meds first and then if there is anything left of this man after he is drugged up, I can have him.  Let me finish up by saying there ARE loving and compassionate people who work at our Assisted Living and Long-Term Nursing Care Facilities that DO try to make a difference when they can, however these caring people usually have their hands tied behind their backs by Corporate Regulations and lack of much needed funding that trickles down DIRECTLY to the Patient, I suppose that is why I keep pushing.   Ugggggggg I'm off to try again today.