Brightview - 4/24/15
Fridays are my day to work with 3 different Communities within one location...the Memory Care Community was so awesome this morning, we laughed and played beach ball for almost 2 hours, listening to music and singing......then off to Independent Living to play the Piano and I ran into a family that I am connected to through Swim Team when my kids were all little. The best part of this, they live right around the corner from me! Wow, small world, as their Mother is a Resident in the Independent Living area......finally off to Assisted Living, this could possibly be the most fun group EVER...we do a Guitar Singing Circle and for 1 1/2 hours we sing and laugh and reminisce about music, jukeboxes and the valuable stories of their lives. There were about 12 Residents in the Group and when I was leaving they all were sighing, asking me when I'd be back. One man stood up and said, "you bring so much joy to us through your music and you give us memories that have been missing for so long, we thank you so much".
I am blessed many times over and I am so grateful for my work, but please don't tell anyone that it is not really work, it's just fun fun fun!
FutureCare - 4/23/15
Today was difficult, as 2 Residents were passing and when I play the Harp at bedside, it's a very personal journey for me. I was fortunate to meet the Son of one Resident, who quietly came in while I was playing. I continued to play for a few more minutes and when I stopped to introduce myself, he was sitting on the edge of his Mom's bed with a big tear in his eye. He asked me to play some more for her. It was a beautiful moment for the 3 of us. From there I was headed to another Resident that was Transitioning to the next life's adventure, and was stopped by a Priest in the hallway, asking me to go to a Resident's room. I told him I was headed that way and he smiled and said, "of course you were, you were being sent by him, and pointed to the sky". When I arrived the room was filled with family and friends and there was hardly room for my Harp, but they insisted I squeeze in. I introduced myself to the Resident and told her I was going to play beautiful music for her. I played for about 45 minutes, with soft chatter and laughter from the group in the room, bringing up stories of their friend's past. It was a beautiful celebration of her life. I spoke to the Resident again when I finished and thanked her for listening and wished her Peace. She reached up and grabbed for my hand, which I held and said my goodbyes. Beautiful right? As I was shutting the door, I heard one of the friends say, "Did you see her Tattoo?"...I opened the door again and held my arm out, displaying the Harp Tattoo and said, "I waited a long time before getting this Tattoo, making sure it had great personal meaning to me"....and as I closed the door I heard "Well, I would have waited a lot longer".......I laughed all the way down the hall....
FutureCare - 4/14/15
Yesterday I did a Drumming Session with a small group of Residents, and one of them was a Lady that I don't see interact very much. She was lying in a recliner chair and when I saw her in the room I wondered why she was brought down to this activity. She slept for about 15 minutes while we played beachball and when I noticed she was awake I went over and told her I was going to toss the ball to her and I wanted her to punch it as hard as she could, never thinking she was capable. I tossed the ball and she reaches up and punches this ball so hard it hit me in the chest and bounced right back to her! Then she started to laugh and laugh.....from then on she was "in the game". When we switched to Drumming, she had a shaker and never let that thing stop shaking for another 30 minutes. She loved all the music and after we were done, I asked her if she enjoyed herself and she just smiled and started laughing again.......her joy sustains me
FutureCare - 3/10/15
Yesterday at work using a Beach Ball, it was a beautiful thing to watch the Residents "Play Ball" ! I took some Video to document how much they improved over just 15 minutes, amazing! The best part is they are so joyous, laughing and joking with each other and feeling alive again. Of course this involves Music and we added in some Drumming. I think of the Thousands of Residents in Facilities that don't get any stimulation. Please consider volunteering one of these days, what you will walk away with is more powerful than you can imagine.
Brightview - 3/4/15
This morning, we were playing a game with a Beach Ball in a circle. One of the RA's was helping me and sitting across from me to assist Residents in hitting the ball. We had Dean Martin playing at top Volume and all of a sudden, the Resident sitting next to the RA says...."you got a really nice frame on you". She said, what did you just say and he answered, "I said, you got a really nice frame".
Her and I just about fell out of our chairs laughing and I am convinced, that part of our brain keeps on working till we are dead!!! BTW, she does have a nice "frame" and is cute as a button!
Brightview - 3/2/15
After being away a last week from my peeps, it's not surprising to walk in to find many things changed. We lost a Resident on Friday, I am so sorry I did not get to say goodbye.
So there is a Resident in a wheelchair and all of a sudden he is screaming for Help......all day...for the last week. He is really fine, but in his mind he is not and he is scared and needs help. What a position for our Brain to be in.
So my plans for the morning totally changed. I had another Resident that was very agitated and I decided to play Piano and just sing. Within a few minutes the Screamer was singing along and after 20 minutes he was asleep in his wheelchair. As far as "miss agitation" she peacefully walked around from room to room talking, which I am sure is singing. I am constantly amazed
Brightview 2/28/15
So I am pretty tickled with a new offer I got from Brightview SP....mornings with my peeps in the Memory Care Unit, Music on Piano or Harp in Independent Living from 12-1pm and at 1pm working in Assisted Living- Music engagement of my choice...Guitar and Singing, Harp, Piano, Music Memory Games or Drumming…..whooohooooo
Waugh Chapel - 2/23/15
Today my sweet Companion of almost 2 years, was so responsive to Music. She hasn't moved her feet and especially her right hand (left side paralysis) for months! I played Guitar and when I sand "Angel from Montgomery", she let out a sigh of joy. These may seem like small signs of coherency, but they are huge for her and her family. I think an Angel really did lead me to this beautiful lady. I love her very much.
Waugh Chapel - 2/20/15
ok, today was my first day with what the facility calls, "low functioning" Residents (I hate the terminology) ...they separated the rest of the Residents to play Bingo....I am sure the person in charge thought these Residents would just sit there and listen to the Music with no interaction, due to their disabilities....NOT!!! We had so much fun and these Residents were shaking shakers, beating on drums and some of them actually smiled and laughed out loud....something I have not seen many of them ever do.
The ironic part of all this...the Bingo Group wanted to know what we were doing down there, as the Staff came dancing and singing past. I vote for an all-inclusive Drumming Session!!!
Never underestimate the power of Music!
Waugh Chapel - 2/2/15
I was in a facility today and walked past the Dining Room where the same handful of forgotten Residents sit, some with their backs facing the TV, staring at a wall, unable to move themselves. They are right where someone parked their wheelchairs. So I took out my Guitar, turned everyone around, turned off the TV and for 30 minutes we sang songs and the room was joyful. Most of the Residents remembered the lyrics. How little time, how little money it costs to have this offered to the Residents.
Remember this...we are all getting older....this could be me, you or your loved one sitting in that forgotten wheelchair. Please consider making a difference once a week? a month? The Residents are so grateful and it takes so little. Volunteer America
FutureCare - 1/27/15
There is a Resident that shouts her responses to any question. Today she had me on the floor chuckling....it was 2pm in the Dining Room and we were starting our program so she shouts out "it's freezing in here, where is the heat?" I walked over and grabbed my coat and offered it to her...she made a terrible face of disgust and yelled, "no thanks, I'm not touching that". OK, I lost it, so I told her it was a really nice gray, wool coat that had just been cleaned and she gave me a beautiful smile and yelled, "quick, help me put it on".......have I mentioned how much I love my job?
January 16, 2015
Stephanie Elia Elgie's Client at PNC made this "fidget blanket" for Steph to give me to use for a Resident with Dementia. Residents like to feel fabric, roll it between their fingers and are always looking to use their hands. This Client made one for her Mother and I am so grateful and excited to try this out. Thank you Stephanie for your thoughtfulness, I love you.
FutureCare - 1/16/15
Yesterday was difficult to get through..I had a terrible headache all day and couldn't kick it. I was playing for a resident that recently went on Oxygen and she was trying to sing along but short of breath, so I told her to just relax and listen. Halfway through the session, I stopped and we chatted about my headache and she said, "I'm so sorry you don't feel well and sure appreciate you playing for me. When you leave could you tell the Desk I am having trouble breathing?" OMG, what on earth was I complaining about? It reminds me that I am just a speck in the Universe and most of the world is a whole lot bigger than myself. Appreciate what we have, especially our Health. I continued to play the rest of the afternoon, headache and all, but seeing each Resident in a different light. When I got home I wanted to sit and cry over the suffering I see, so 30 minutes of Meditation with my Singing Bowl and Tingsha Bells and I was back. I am grateful and stronger today. So far, NO headache
