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.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
My Thoughts ...January 2015 - April 2015
My experiences with Memory Care, Bedside Therapeutic Harp and other Modalities of Healing, motivates me to be creative and compassionate, as each day requires something different from me. I'm glad I write my thoughts down, it's easy to forget the importance of each day in doing this work. Hopefully I will be better about blogging and keeping up to date...but I doubt it :)
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
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
The Gift of an IPOD
Wednesday, August 6, 2014... 9:44pm and the most beautiful evening for August!!!!
I wanted to post about my Patient, Mr. S and his experience with the IPOD Memory & Recall. I have concentrated on him for the last 2 weeks. Noting his condition when I first met him a few months ago. He was usually in bed. Did not communicate except for single words like yes, no, thank you. He was always polite and loved Therapeutic Harp. I gave him the IPOD 2 weeks ago.
The first time I gave it to him, it was loaded with Vintage Music like Big Band, Pop Hits from the 30's and 40's. He was unable to answer simple questions like "what kind of music do you like" or "what is your name". I sat in the room and watched him for about 40 minutes. At first there was little reaction. Then I noticed his foot was moving and he lifted it off the wheelchair and placed it on the floor. He started tapping to the music with his right foot. A while later he was crying, so I took off the IPOD and asked him the following questions:
"why are you crying"….I don't know
"do you like the music"…..yes it's beautiful
"does the music make you remember things"…..yes, I remember
"is that why you are crying, because you remember"…..yes that's why
"do you want more music or are you done for now"…..I want more music
So I put the IPOD back on his head and 4 hours later, he still had it on! He cried when I took it for the night, but I promised I would give it back the next day.
Mr. S has had the IPOD several times a week. Last week I learned he was a Scientist and Engineer for NASA and helped put a man on the Moon. Imagine that. His wife told me the Astronauts ate dinner at their home on a regular basis. Information like this from family is so valuable when trying to rekindle a memory. This information gives me a base to work with so I have been documenting his responses to very simple questions before the IPOD goes on, after 20 minutes of music and after 1 hr of music.
Last week he was able to answer in 1 or 2 words, when I would ask him about his job at NASA. He would grin and smile when he remembered things. I could see such progress as we went through the week, he was happier and listened more carefully and responded more quickly.
Monday, August 4, 2014 he was looking at some pictures on the table of Apollo and various Space Pictures. I put on the IPOD and after 20 minutes, took it off and asked him his name. He gave me BOTH names. I said we would write it, so I helped him hold a pen and told him I didn't know how to spell it so he spelled his first and last name….unbelievable. Then I asked him about his children, he name them off in no time!!!
After 1 hour I removed the IPOD and asked him about music:
"do you like music"…I love music
"does this music help you remember when you were young"….yes I remember being young
"do you like to dance"….yes XX (his wife) likes to dance
"do you remember your job at NASA"…..
he starts crying so I hugged him and asked why he was crying and he said some random thing and then said, "it was hard to get home, very scary" This took me a minute to click, but he was talking about the Moon Landing and how scared Control Center was about getting them home again.
This is totally amazing and we are not done yet!!! In a perfect world, there would be funding to pay me or someone else to document EVERY patient that is part of this Music & Memory Project. I feel like I am walking uphill backwards and sometimes very frustrated, but when I see this beautiful soul remembering WHO he was and enjoying memories of his childhood, marriage, children, job and friends, it keeps me motivated and committed.
I need MORE IPODS!! This is at 1 Facility, I work at 3 Facilities. I am so grateful for the generous donations of used IPODS and to the INdiegogo Campaign. I am $320 short of my goal. The $500 Goal is to purchase 10 new IPOD Shuffles. Your Gift of an IPOD is changing lives…giving back life!
Please think of your loved ones….make them a playlist….give them music everyday, and do the same for yourself!!
I wanted to post about my Patient, Mr. S and his experience with the IPOD Memory & Recall. I have concentrated on him for the last 2 weeks. Noting his condition when I first met him a few months ago. He was usually in bed. Did not communicate except for single words like yes, no, thank you. He was always polite and loved Therapeutic Harp. I gave him the IPOD 2 weeks ago.
The first time I gave it to him, it was loaded with Vintage Music like Big Band, Pop Hits from the 30's and 40's. He was unable to answer simple questions like "what kind of music do you like" or "what is your name". I sat in the room and watched him for about 40 minutes. At first there was little reaction. Then I noticed his foot was moving and he lifted it off the wheelchair and placed it on the floor. He started tapping to the music with his right foot. A while later he was crying, so I took off the IPOD and asked him the following questions:
"why are you crying"….I don't know
"do you like the music"…..yes it's beautiful
"does the music make you remember things"…..yes, I remember
"is that why you are crying, because you remember"…..yes that's why
"do you want more music or are you done for now"…..I want more music
So I put the IPOD back on his head and 4 hours later, he still had it on! He cried when I took it for the night, but I promised I would give it back the next day.
Mr. S has had the IPOD several times a week. Last week I learned he was a Scientist and Engineer for NASA and helped put a man on the Moon. Imagine that. His wife told me the Astronauts ate dinner at their home on a regular basis. Information like this from family is so valuable when trying to rekindle a memory. This information gives me a base to work with so I have been documenting his responses to very simple questions before the IPOD goes on, after 20 minutes of music and after 1 hr of music.
Last week he was able to answer in 1 or 2 words, when I would ask him about his job at NASA. He would grin and smile when he remembered things. I could see such progress as we went through the week, he was happier and listened more carefully and responded more quickly.
Monday, August 4, 2014 he was looking at some pictures on the table of Apollo and various Space Pictures. I put on the IPOD and after 20 minutes, took it off and asked him his name. He gave me BOTH names. I said we would write it, so I helped him hold a pen and told him I didn't know how to spell it so he spelled his first and last name….unbelievable. Then I asked him about his children, he name them off in no time!!!
After 1 hour I removed the IPOD and asked him about music:
"do you like music"…I love music
"does this music help you remember when you were young"….yes I remember being young
"do you like to dance"….yes XX (his wife) likes to dance
"do you remember your job at NASA"…..
he starts crying so I hugged him and asked why he was crying and he said some random thing and then said, "it was hard to get home, very scary" This took me a minute to click, but he was talking about the Moon Landing and how scared Control Center was about getting them home again.
This is totally amazing and we are not done yet!!! In a perfect world, there would be funding to pay me or someone else to document EVERY patient that is part of this Music & Memory Project. I feel like I am walking uphill backwards and sometimes very frustrated, but when I see this beautiful soul remembering WHO he was and enjoying memories of his childhood, marriage, children, job and friends, it keeps me motivated and committed.
I need MORE IPODS!! This is at 1 Facility, I work at 3 Facilities. I am so grateful for the generous donations of used IPODS and to the INdiegogo Campaign. I am $320 short of my goal. The $500 Goal is to purchase 10 new IPOD Shuffles. Your Gift of an IPOD is changing lives…giving back life!
Please think of your loved ones….make them a playlist….give them music everyday, and do the same for yourself!!
Friday, August 1, 2014
Another Healing Modality
Friday!!! not only a day off but it's gonna rain :) That's ok…it's summertime
It seems my Therapeutic Harping has taken me to another crossroad. I think it's ok and in fact, important to keep branching out and making small changes where you feel the need. Doing my Bedside Therapeutic Harp in Assisted Living/Long-term Nursing Facilities, has opened my eyes to what most of us want to "overlook" and that is the housing of our Elders. My Therapeutic work has a great impact on patients. I focus on bedridden or hospice patients that don't leave their beds…or rooms. But there is another population within these facilities that are sort of the middle man. These patients can be ambulatory in a wheelchair or a walker and although, physically they are tended to, I realize their minds and their very identity are buried deep inside and sometimes lost forever.
For these very patients, I started a Memory and Recall Event using donated IPODS. Each IPOD is loaded with music from a particular Genre, Big Band, 50's Rock & Roll, Crooners like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, Country, Gospel and the list goes on and on. The idea behind the IPOD project is to place the IPOD on the patient, preferably first thing in the morning when they are rested and their minds are the most clear. 2 hours of music, on a regular basis is shown to have the most remarkable effects on memory recall, socialization and behavioral improvements.
Educating Staff and Family members on the benefits is key to success and it's also a slow process. What is also key is to stress that the IPOD is NOT a replacement for human touch, visual stimulation, or a babysitting tool. I have a difficult time giving up control of such a project, but I also know I can not do it without the help of the Staff.
I have had the most amazing and generous support from my family, friends and through Social Media in securing donated IPODS. I started an on-line Indiegogo Fundraising Campaign and the very first people to donate money towards New IPOD Shuffles were from Whitney Paulk (friend of my Daughter Lindsey) and Kimberly Sabatano, a longtime family friend. My gratitude grew from there to other contributors and is still happening. The Campaign runs until September and my goal is to purchase 10 New IPODS at $40 each. Please if you've not joined this Campaign, please give what you can, this is such an important project. Here is the link :
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/music-memory-ipod-funding.
Each day I am amazed at the progress that patients are making and I am so happy that the families have a little piece of their loved one back, if only for a little while. There are so many Modalities of Healing that we don't tap into, the Western World of Medicine is very skeptical if the healing method doesn't require drugs, surgery or "traditional medicine" but the good news is, we now have the equipment and technology to SEE these results that Eastern Medicine has been practicing for Centuries.
I am not alone, I have the support, love and compassion from you and you and you that are reading this Blog and contributing to the used IPOD Donation or the Ingiegogo Fund Raising for New IPOD Shuffles. My deepest and heartfelt thank-you's.
There are stories to share everyday about the amazing impact the IPODS have on the Patients. Here are just a few from this past week….
July 25th:
Big challenge today with a very difficult patient….she too is a screamer and a thrower…last week she threw her food at me on my way by her…I have an IPOD made up just for her with Childrens Tunes and tons of Disney Songs…it could go either way, peaceful or I will be dodging the Headphones!!! (the IPODS are secured to the back of the Wheelchair so they can not be damaged) I am so hoping we get a peaceful response
update:
ok a bit more detail…OMG it was so wonderful and so fun! This Patient is mentally and physically handicapped and the Staff has grown to love her like one of their children. But as we all know, little children can be challenging and so she is known for throwing things, screaming for hours on end and throwing fits…REAL fits. When I entered the Unit the Staff all looked at me like, "seriously you are going to put that on?" One of the Nurses walked over, took it from me and looked at the patient and said…"look, music…we are going to sing" and she put on the headphones herself and started dancing around…so the patient is grinning from ear to ear. Then the Nurse places them on her head and it was BEAUTIFULLLLLLLLLLLLL ..she was quiet for a minute, Old McDonald Had a Farm was playing and when she recognized it she grinned and screamed with delight! We all were dancing and clapping around her and she was so happy it made me cry. Then she said, "bed, music in bed"…we cracked up because she wanted to get in bed with her Headset…she was content.
So simple, so easy…no Meds…just joyful music because so many people gave IPODS from their heart.
July 28:
I want to share another Music & Memory experience today…actually 2 of them. There is a Patient who doesn't communicate, other than yes/no/thank you. Today I put an IPOD on him…I took it off about 20 minutes later and asked him what he did for a living…he just looked at me and I said, did you work for NASA and he smiled and said yes I did. I said, "you used to hobnob with Astronauts and have them in your home for Dinner" and he said yes, they ate dinner with me. This Scientist/Engineer worked on our Space Program. He is a brilliant man and after a STIFF jolt of music, he was able to carry on a conversation with me…can you say AMAZING?????
Story 2…I was working in the Computer room, adjusting/charging IPODS and a woman came in with her mother. The Daughter asked me about the IPODS so I explained the Project and told her that when there were enough donated, her mother could get one from the Unit Desk or the Family could request one for depression, agitation or sundowning. She asked if her mother could try one and the mother said, "oh no, not now"…so the daughter put on the headphones and said, oh Mom, this is your favorite song"…she then plopped the headset on her mother and her mom sat there…listening, closed her eyes and the Daughter said to me…."how much will this cost?"…..I said, nothing, this is a gift from the most generous people in the world.
It seems my Therapeutic Harping has taken me to another crossroad. I think it's ok and in fact, important to keep branching out and making small changes where you feel the need. Doing my Bedside Therapeutic Harp in Assisted Living/Long-term Nursing Facilities, has opened my eyes to what most of us want to "overlook" and that is the housing of our Elders. My Therapeutic work has a great impact on patients. I focus on bedridden or hospice patients that don't leave their beds…or rooms. But there is another population within these facilities that are sort of the middle man. These patients can be ambulatory in a wheelchair or a walker and although, physically they are tended to, I realize their minds and their very identity are buried deep inside and sometimes lost forever.
For these very patients, I started a Memory and Recall Event using donated IPODS. Each IPOD is loaded with music from a particular Genre, Big Band, 50's Rock & Roll, Crooners like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, Country, Gospel and the list goes on and on. The idea behind the IPOD project is to place the IPOD on the patient, preferably first thing in the morning when they are rested and their minds are the most clear. 2 hours of music, on a regular basis is shown to have the most remarkable effects on memory recall, socialization and behavioral improvements.
Educating Staff and Family members on the benefits is key to success and it's also a slow process. What is also key is to stress that the IPOD is NOT a replacement for human touch, visual stimulation, or a babysitting tool. I have a difficult time giving up control of such a project, but I also know I can not do it without the help of the Staff.
I have had the most amazing and generous support from my family, friends and through Social Media in securing donated IPODS. I started an on-line Indiegogo Fundraising Campaign and the very first people to donate money towards New IPOD Shuffles were from Whitney Paulk (friend of my Daughter Lindsey) and Kimberly Sabatano, a longtime family friend. My gratitude grew from there to other contributors and is still happening. The Campaign runs until September and my goal is to purchase 10 New IPODS at $40 each. Please if you've not joined this Campaign, please give what you can, this is such an important project. Here is the link :
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/music-memory-ipod-funding.
Each day I am amazed at the progress that patients are making and I am so happy that the families have a little piece of their loved one back, if only for a little while. There are so many Modalities of Healing that we don't tap into, the Western World of Medicine is very skeptical if the healing method doesn't require drugs, surgery or "traditional medicine" but the good news is, we now have the equipment and technology to SEE these results that Eastern Medicine has been practicing for Centuries.
I am not alone, I have the support, love and compassion from you and you and you that are reading this Blog and contributing to the used IPOD Donation or the Ingiegogo Fund Raising for New IPOD Shuffles. My deepest and heartfelt thank-you's.
There are stories to share everyday about the amazing impact the IPODS have on the Patients. Here are just a few from this past week….
July 25th:
Big challenge today with a very difficult patient….she too is a screamer and a thrower…last week she threw her food at me on my way by her…I have an IPOD made up just for her with Childrens Tunes and tons of Disney Songs…it could go either way, peaceful or I will be dodging the Headphones!!! (the IPODS are secured to the back of the Wheelchair so they can not be damaged) I am so hoping we get a peaceful response
update:
ok a bit more detail…OMG it was so wonderful and so fun! This Patient is mentally and physically handicapped and the Staff has grown to love her like one of their children. But as we all know, little children can be challenging and so she is known for throwing things, screaming for hours on end and throwing fits…REAL fits. When I entered the Unit the Staff all looked at me like, "seriously you are going to put that on?" One of the Nurses walked over, took it from me and looked at the patient and said…"look, music…we are going to sing" and she put on the headphones herself and started dancing around…so the patient is grinning from ear to ear. Then the Nurse places them on her head and it was BEAUTIFULLLLLLLLLLLLL ..she was quiet for a minute, Old McDonald Had a Farm was playing and when she recognized it she grinned and screamed with delight! We all were dancing and clapping around her and she was so happy it made me cry. Then she said, "bed, music in bed"…we cracked up because she wanted to get in bed with her Headset…she was content.
So simple, so easy…no Meds…just joyful music because so many people gave IPODS from their heart.
July 28:
I want to share another Music & Memory experience today…actually 2 of them. There is a Patient who doesn't communicate, other than yes/no/thank you. Today I put an IPOD on him…I took it off about 20 minutes later and asked him what he did for a living…he just looked at me and I said, did you work for NASA and he smiled and said yes I did. I said, "you used to hobnob with Astronauts and have them in your home for Dinner" and he said yes, they ate dinner with me. This Scientist/Engineer worked on our Space Program. He is a brilliant man and after a STIFF jolt of music, he was able to carry on a conversation with me…can you say AMAZING?????
Story 2…I was working in the Computer room, adjusting/charging IPODS and a woman came in with her mother. The Daughter asked me about the IPODS so I explained the Project and told her that when there were enough donated, her mother could get one from the Unit Desk or the Family could request one for depression, agitation or sundowning. She asked if her mother could try one and the mother said, "oh no, not now"…so the daughter put on the headphones and said, oh Mom, this is your favorite song"…she then plopped the headset on her mother and her mom sat there…listening, closed her eyes and the Daughter said to me…."how much will this cost?"…..I said, nothing, this is a gift from the most generous people in the world.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Monday, Monday…..can't trust that day
Monday, Monday….can't trust that day. Monday morning, you gave me no warning of what was to be…
whew…I am a little tired, mentally and emotionally but I am ok and I am so grateful that I walked into my Companion's Room, to find her roommate, Miss B, who I have just fallen in love with, transitioning to the next life! Yep, didn't expect that, thank you Monday Monday.
I was met at the front door of the facility by Ms. J, who lost her roommate the night before. That too was a shocker. Since I've been there Ms. J has lost 3 roommates and she just falls apart when it happens. My heart aches for her, naturally she becomes very attached to her roommates and it's just so hard when they pass. So I set my Harp inside and walked back out and sat with Ms. J, listening and hugging. Then I took my Harp to my Companion's room, only to find Ms. B in grave condition.
I had other duties today, but I knew my main focus would be for Ms. B, providing soothing music to help her with a peaceful passing.
The first thing I needed to do was to "wire up" Mrs. H, the screamer….and I mean screamer, 24/7 at the top of her lungs. I played Harp for her last Thursday and I could not hear my Harp….but as I sat there my heart just broke, knowing she is a prisoner of her mind, trapped in this hell. As I entered the Unit I could hear her…great, I am going to stick an IPOD on her and see what happens…and….I have permission to film her!!!! So I grab an Aide and off we go, only to find her peacefully sitting by the window, not making a sound! Figures….so the Aide talks to her, clearly trying to get her in the present and possibly a good candidate for the IPOD…nope…she sat and stared at both of us. I totally lost it and then the Aide started laughing and between us we were making so much noise laughing WE should have had an IPOD. So I filmed the Aide placing the IPOD on her head so she could just enjoy the music and the most amazing thing happened…..she immediately and quietly started making noises, like she was singing and then she closed her eyes. Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee. I am so grateful and blessed to have the support from staff, Ms. C in particular, who walks right beside me on these ideas and projects. We have a very broken system of housing our Elders in this Country, but with staff members that see the short-comings and work very hard to fill in the gaps.
So I was off and running…it was time for my Companion to enjoy Harp Music and at the same time, I am giving this music to Ms. B as she is passing. After a couple hours my fingers hurt and my mind was wayyyyyyyyyy too groggy. I took a break and walked my Companion outside in the fresh air and cleared my head and rested my fingers. When I came back in, it was time for my Companion to have a shower so off to Ms. B I went, more Harp.
I have to tell you, as a Therapeutic Harpist, I am trained to play Unfamiliar, non-rhythmic music for a transitioning patient. The idea behind that style is so the patient's body rhythms don't entrain themselves to the rhythm of the Harp, it allows their body to shut down naturally. As far as playing Un-familiar tunes, it also allows the patient to let go of the present life and the familiar tunes they knew and move on. So for the longest time, that's what I did, that is what I have been trained to do. Ms. B struggled so hard and I kept telling her to let go and move on to the beautiful life that lay in front of her. NOPE, she struggled so hard for so long….by this time, my Companion was back and in bed and I didn't want her to hear (she is blind) Ms. B struggle so hard. I changed my tactics, yep I was also trained to use my judgement and intuition. There were 5 tunes that Ms. B loved,
I played them for her each week and we used to chat about why the songs meant so much to her. "Somewhere over the Rainbow"…she loved that because when her Mother left her with her Grandparents to raise her, that is what her Grandmother used to sing to her to stop her from crying when she missed her Mom. "Moon River" because she never married but she was in love with a Man once and that was "their song". "Jesus Loves Me" and "Amazing Grace", 2 songs she taught as a Music Teacher, to her Class, that she thought were important to know.
The last one was a surprise, a few months ago I asked her what her favorite song was. As a Life-long Music Teacher I thought it was going to be something complex and operatic. She said, "well, my Grandfather that raised me always sang "Home on the Range", so I guess that is my favorite". It was during Home on the Range that she took her last breath. As I played these 5 songs, she became very peaceful and her breathing was quiet and gentle. I played Ode to Joy for her after she passed…..I looked over at my Companion that was in the next bed and she was grinning from ear to ear…..she was LOVING the tunes I was playing, totally unaware of Ms. B's passing…or was she? I will never know.
Now, I am having a COLD Guinness and lighting my candles for Ms. A and Ms. B…in honor of their lives and the joyous way music sent them on their journey.
whew…I am a little tired, mentally and emotionally but I am ok and I am so grateful that I walked into my Companion's Room, to find her roommate, Miss B, who I have just fallen in love with, transitioning to the next life! Yep, didn't expect that, thank you Monday Monday.
I was met at the front door of the facility by Ms. J, who lost her roommate the night before. That too was a shocker. Since I've been there Ms. J has lost 3 roommates and she just falls apart when it happens. My heart aches for her, naturally she becomes very attached to her roommates and it's just so hard when they pass. So I set my Harp inside and walked back out and sat with Ms. J, listening and hugging. Then I took my Harp to my Companion's room, only to find Ms. B in grave condition.
I had other duties today, but I knew my main focus would be for Ms. B, providing soothing music to help her with a peaceful passing.
The first thing I needed to do was to "wire up" Mrs. H, the screamer….and I mean screamer, 24/7 at the top of her lungs. I played Harp for her last Thursday and I could not hear my Harp….but as I sat there my heart just broke, knowing she is a prisoner of her mind, trapped in this hell. As I entered the Unit I could hear her…great, I am going to stick an IPOD on her and see what happens…and….I have permission to film her!!!! So I grab an Aide and off we go, only to find her peacefully sitting by the window, not making a sound! Figures….so the Aide talks to her, clearly trying to get her in the present and possibly a good candidate for the IPOD…nope…she sat and stared at both of us. I totally lost it and then the Aide started laughing and between us we were making so much noise laughing WE should have had an IPOD. So I filmed the Aide placing the IPOD on her head so she could just enjoy the music and the most amazing thing happened…..she immediately and quietly started making noises, like she was singing and then she closed her eyes. Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee. I am so grateful and blessed to have the support from staff, Ms. C in particular, who walks right beside me on these ideas and projects. We have a very broken system of housing our Elders in this Country, but with staff members that see the short-comings and work very hard to fill in the gaps.
So I was off and running…it was time for my Companion to enjoy Harp Music and at the same time, I am giving this music to Ms. B as she is passing. After a couple hours my fingers hurt and my mind was wayyyyyyyyyy too groggy. I took a break and walked my Companion outside in the fresh air and cleared my head and rested my fingers. When I came back in, it was time for my Companion to have a shower so off to Ms. B I went, more Harp.
I have to tell you, as a Therapeutic Harpist, I am trained to play Unfamiliar, non-rhythmic music for a transitioning patient. The idea behind that style is so the patient's body rhythms don't entrain themselves to the rhythm of the Harp, it allows their body to shut down naturally. As far as playing Un-familiar tunes, it also allows the patient to let go of the present life and the familiar tunes they knew and move on. So for the longest time, that's what I did, that is what I have been trained to do. Ms. B struggled so hard and I kept telling her to let go and move on to the beautiful life that lay in front of her. NOPE, she struggled so hard for so long….by this time, my Companion was back and in bed and I didn't want her to hear (she is blind) Ms. B struggle so hard. I changed my tactics, yep I was also trained to use my judgement and intuition. There were 5 tunes that Ms. B loved,
I played them for her each week and we used to chat about why the songs meant so much to her. "Somewhere over the Rainbow"…she loved that because when her Mother left her with her Grandparents to raise her, that is what her Grandmother used to sing to her to stop her from crying when she missed her Mom. "Moon River" because she never married but she was in love with a Man once and that was "their song". "Jesus Loves Me" and "Amazing Grace", 2 songs she taught as a Music Teacher, to her Class, that she thought were important to know.
The last one was a surprise, a few months ago I asked her what her favorite song was. As a Life-long Music Teacher I thought it was going to be something complex and operatic. She said, "well, my Grandfather that raised me always sang "Home on the Range", so I guess that is my favorite". It was during Home on the Range that she took her last breath. As I played these 5 songs, she became very peaceful and her breathing was quiet and gentle. I played Ode to Joy for her after she passed…..I looked over at my Companion that was in the next bed and she was grinning from ear to ear…..she was LOVING the tunes I was playing, totally unaware of Ms. B's passing…or was she? I will never know.
Now, I am having a COLD Guinness and lighting my candles for Ms. A and Ms. B…in honor of their lives and the joyous way music sent them on their journey.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
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.
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.
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