Thursday, January 7th, 2016...a day of Therapeutic Harp for some Residents I love so much. One of my favorite Residents is failing fast and on Tuesday, during Guitar & Singing, they brought him to the group late in the Session. I was so happy to see him, especially after being gone for a 2 week vacation. But my happiness turned quickly into sadness, as I could see a huge decline in those 2 weeks. Today when I entered his room with my Harp, I honestly didn't expect a response, but my heart was so happy when he opened his eyes as I played! It was difficult for him to keep his eyes open so he dozed between tunes and when I was finished, he listened to me say goodbye and that I loved him. When I have a day like today, I feel I am prepared for his passing...sort of?
It continued to be a cheerful day, several Residents at the Nurse's Station, all happy to have music and singing along to the ones they knew. The Staff is always so appreciative to have me there, it takes some of the stress and worry off them, if only for a little while.
With the passing of my dear Companion, Louise, I am left with 2 afternoons free, the days I would spend with her. My Husband is the best, he encourages me to just stay home and regroup and not worry about filling my time...buttttttttt I can't! So on my way home today I stopped at a Facility I used to play at a few years ago. The management was so terrible and the payment was slow, IF and when I received it, but the Residents were a joy and I hated leaving them. When I walked in I recognized one of the Employees and she was thrilled to see me. As it turns out, the Management is completely new and they welcomed me with open arms. I asked for 1 afternoon a week of Guitar and Singing Memory Recall Therapy and they offered me 1 at that location and 1 at another of their locations. I think for now, I will stay with the facility that is closest to my home. I do agree with my Husband, I need to regroup a little. How true it is that when one door closes and you feel so lost, another one opens to a room full of joyful Residents. I love my job (s)
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Monday, January 4, 2016
January 4, 2016...Amazing Journey
Thanks Sharon Fox for giving me a shove that leads me back to my Dolce Harp Blog Page. It's been a long time since I wrote and so much has happened over the last several months, it will be impossible to catch up so I figured I should start with today, January 4, 2016.
Probably the most significant thing today is I am home and it's only 12:15 pm. Usually at this time I am eating lunch in my car and then headed to my Companion's Nursing Home to give her 4 hours of Music and Company. My Companion, Louise, died on New Year's Day, after a 9 year battle with Benson's Disease. When I first met Louise, almost 3 years ago, she could barely speak and she lost that ability a few months later. It was just long enough for me to learn a bit about her and the type of music she liked. She liked EVERYTHING...we were made for each other! These past few years have been very difficult, not only to see her weaken, but to fight for decent and compassionate care for those who can't speak for themselves. You see, Louise was Blind, Paralyzed and couldn't speak, therefore she was at the mercy of those who cared for her. I could rant for a thousand years about the complete lack of compassion, kindness and basic care needs that did not exist in the Nursing Home, but I will save that for another day.
Tomorrow is her viewing and I am honored to sit near her and play my Harp. Her Funeral is Wednesday and I feel the family will be lifted in Spirit, for they loved her so much and she has been the focus of their lives for 9 LONG years. There is no place for second-guessing and no place for should-haves or guilt. They are an amazing family and they should finish out their lives in a joyful place.
So, after a 2 week vacation over the Holidays, which frankly has been stressful, not only because of Louise being moved to Hospice and her passing, but our dear friend George is very sick and terminal, I went off to work this morning a little down....oh MY MY...I should not ever allow myself to wallow in sorrow...when I walked into the Dementia Care Unit my spirits were lifted, all my peeps were gathered around breakfast and some smiled and remembered me and others didn't, but they were all anxious to get to singing songs they knew and let out some of their penned energy through Circle Beach Ball, with Dean Martin barring in the background!
A couple of interesting observations today..there is a Resident named Shirley and she does not communicate..she is not interested in joining our circle, but from time to time I see her eyes open and I just know she listens. Today I asked the Staff to slide her chair into our circle. I do know that her Husband was a fantastic Guitarist, so it was no surprise when she opened her eyes wide and her foot started tapping to the music! It's important to give the Residents the choice of whether they want to join us or not, but sometimes they need a little push, and in this case a shove into the next room!
With my favorite Resident (I know, I know I shouldn't have favorites, but I do) sitting by my side while I played and sang, she came to life and seemed to shake the depression she has been fighting for several weeks. Depression is a major transition with Dementia, regardless of the cause and it breaks my heart to see them dive into those murky waters. Most Depression is treated with Medications, but when you add Music into the mix, especially Memory Recall Music, it's like an extra boost of Joy, Memory, Peace for the Mind and Soul and a lot of Love spread around the room.
I will always miss my Companion, Louise, but I know I offered her security, love and comfort during her last years. I am thinking of another facility nearby that might be fun doing Memory Recall Singing to replace the time I spent with Louise....and because of her beautiful spirit, I want to continue working with our Elders and Memory Care Communities. Life really is an amazing journey.
Probably the most significant thing today is I am home and it's only 12:15 pm. Usually at this time I am eating lunch in my car and then headed to my Companion's Nursing Home to give her 4 hours of Music and Company. My Companion, Louise, died on New Year's Day, after a 9 year battle with Benson's Disease. When I first met Louise, almost 3 years ago, she could barely speak and she lost that ability a few months later. It was just long enough for me to learn a bit about her and the type of music she liked. She liked EVERYTHING...we were made for each other! These past few years have been very difficult, not only to see her weaken, but to fight for decent and compassionate care for those who can't speak for themselves. You see, Louise was Blind, Paralyzed and couldn't speak, therefore she was at the mercy of those who cared for her. I could rant for a thousand years about the complete lack of compassion, kindness and basic care needs that did not exist in the Nursing Home, but I will save that for another day.
Tomorrow is her viewing and I am honored to sit near her and play my Harp. Her Funeral is Wednesday and I feel the family will be lifted in Spirit, for they loved her so much and she has been the focus of their lives for 9 LONG years. There is no place for second-guessing and no place for should-haves or guilt. They are an amazing family and they should finish out their lives in a joyful place.
So, after a 2 week vacation over the Holidays, which frankly has been stressful, not only because of Louise being moved to Hospice and her passing, but our dear friend George is very sick and terminal, I went off to work this morning a little down....oh MY MY...I should not ever allow myself to wallow in sorrow...when I walked into the Dementia Care Unit my spirits were lifted, all my peeps were gathered around breakfast and some smiled and remembered me and others didn't, but they were all anxious to get to singing songs they knew and let out some of their penned energy through Circle Beach Ball, with Dean Martin barring in the background!
A couple of interesting observations today..there is a Resident named Shirley and she does not communicate..she is not interested in joining our circle, but from time to time I see her eyes open and I just know she listens. Today I asked the Staff to slide her chair into our circle. I do know that her Husband was a fantastic Guitarist, so it was no surprise when she opened her eyes wide and her foot started tapping to the music! It's important to give the Residents the choice of whether they want to join us or not, but sometimes they need a little push, and in this case a shove into the next room!
With my favorite Resident (I know, I know I shouldn't have favorites, but I do) sitting by my side while I played and sang, she came to life and seemed to shake the depression she has been fighting for several weeks. Depression is a major transition with Dementia, regardless of the cause and it breaks my heart to see them dive into those murky waters. Most Depression is treated with Medications, but when you add Music into the mix, especially Memory Recall Music, it's like an extra boost of Joy, Memory, Peace for the Mind and Soul and a lot of Love spread around the room.
I will always miss my Companion, Louise, but I know I offered her security, love and comfort during her last years. I am thinking of another facility nearby that might be fun doing Memory Recall Singing to replace the time I spent with Louise....and because of her beautiful spirit, I want to continue working with our Elders and Memory Care Communities. Life really is an amazing journey.
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