That's Entertainment: In LTC, Showtime Can Be Therapeutic
2010; Elsevier BV; Volume: 11; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/s1526-4114(10)60305-8
ISSN2377-066X
Autores Tópico(s)Radio, Podcasts, and Digital Media
ResumoIt's Saturday night, and Elvis is on stage. The crowd goes wild, and the show begins. It's just a typical evening at a nursing home.Increasingly, facilities are bringing in singers, dancers, bands, and other performers to entertain residents. While these are always feel-good events, they also may encourage exercise, improve appetites, and promote better sleep and attitudes, say organizers.In fact, Elvis impersonators are popular performers at nursing homes, and Ray Covey of Baytown, Tex., is one of them. “I've been doing it for over 22 years, and I love it. A lot of the residents don't have families who visit, and they really appreciate a little attention and love.”His audiences look forward to his visits, Mr. Covey said. Residents laugh, sing, and request songs such as “Jailhouse Rock” and “Hound Dog.” His performances often trigger memories, as members of his audiences tell of when they saw Elvis on television or in concert or even met him. “The ones who met him often say how nice and polite he was,” Mr. Covey noted.The faux Elvis recalled one rewarding and almost spooky incident: “There was a married couple who would always come to my shows. They would sit in their wheelchairs together, laughing and smiling. I went back after a 3-month absence, and she was alone and looking very sad. I found out that her husband had passed away recently.“Singing ‘Loving You,’ I took her hand, and she tried to smile. Suddenly, I felt a tingling in my head that went down to my hand. It was like her husband was reaching out to her through me,” said Mr. Covey. The experience, he said, has stuck with him.In another facility, he encountered a resident who was deeply depressed and lethargic. “When I sang to her, she perked up and seemed to really enjoy it. The facility called the next day and said how happy she was and that she asked when I was coming back.” The daughter of another woman who loved his performances asked Mr. Covey to sing at her mother's funeral.Elvis isn't the only celebrity who appears at nursing homes. Ian Anthony bills himself as “the U.K.'s Premier Tom Jones Tribute Artist,” and he performs in many “care homes” in England. “I must admit that I went into the first such gig with some trepidation,” said Mr. Anthony. “I really didn't know what to expect. … I soon learned that my elderly audiences are hugely appreciative and very happy to join in and engage in the spirit of the moment.”He admitted that he was surprised by the “energy and enthusiasm” of the residents. “They may be old in body, but they definitely are still young at heart and in mind. Some of them can dance their socks off,” he said.Mr. Anthony recalled Doris, who was celebrating her 100th birthday. Unfortunately, she had fallen days earlier, and she was bruised and in pain. Yet, once she saw Mr. Anthony, her face lit up.“I wondered at that moment, How could anyone say it isn't worth the effort to entertain elderly people?” he said.His mature audiences haven't lost their sense of humor, Mr. Anthony said. “Sometimes, they throw knickers at me with things written on them like ‘We love you, Tom’ and ‘Hi Sex Bomb.’ Sometimes they will throw a huge pair just for laughs.”Sometimes, the good-natured joke is on the entertainer encountering still-sharp wits. Singer Kevin Curry, who performs at many nursing facilities in the Midwest, recalled, “Once I was finishing up my program, and this woman pulled me aside and said, ‘Young man, I'm 94 years old, and after your performance, I feel like 90 again.’”Mr. Curry said he's rewarded by his nursing home gigs as much as the residents are.“I go in knowing that I need them as much as they need me. … Getting that human connection, that glimmer of emotion is more than rewarding. I get to bring the whole world in to them and be a guest in their home.”Hottest Ticket in TownIf laughter is the best medicine, singing is a close second, said Sherrie Dornberger, RN, president of the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care and former director of nursing at Pittman (N.J.) Manor senior living center, “Our residents love musical performers – anyone who sings and dances. We have an award-winning local choir that performs a couple times a year, and the auditorium is always packed.”When outside entertainers aren't around, she said, “Residents like to entertain one another. We have people who'll give impromptu recitals or play the piano or organ during meals. Lunch is really happy on those days.”The entertainment helps residents who are depressed or angry, said Ms. Dornberger. “We had a combative resident that no one could seem to help. She wouldn't engage with anyone, and she had no family.”When an entertainer came in who goes from room to room with a portable keyboard, staff sent him to see this resident. Within minutes, she was smiling and moving her hands with the music.“From that day on, we realized that we could get her to respond by singing or humming to her,” said Ms Dornberger. “We would talk to her in song, and it worked… it gave us new opportunities to communicate with her.” However, the singing staff couldn't replace the traveling pianist for the resident. “This guy was her best friend. She would just light up every time she saw him,” said Ms. Dornberger.Entertainment helps keep a facility from feeling like an institution, she contends. Not only do residents look forward to these events, but they also have something to talk about at meals and during other social interactions. For example, said Ms. Dornberger, “We had a female impersonator imitating Dolly Parton once. For days after, residents were talking about him. Specifically, they wondered about what he stuffed in his shirt to make him look like Dolly.”Anyone who thinks that all of this activity is too much for elderly people would be wrong, said Ms. Dornberger. “My residents love to be active. They're busier than most of my 50-year-old friends, and the busier they are the happier they are.”She stressed that entertainment is more than fun. “Residents who have activities to look forward to are less depressed. They get more exercise, so they sleep and eat better, and we use fewer sleep meds and nutrition drinks … the performances and the songs trigger memories and help stimulate their minds. Residents who have lost cognition often can still sing songs. This increases their confidence and makes them feel good.”Charles Richardson, director of lifestyles and life enrichment for the Brookdale Senior Living centers around the country, agreed that music is a powerful tool.“For people with dementia, singing is a moment of clarity. They may not know what day it is, but they can sing ‘Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree’ and dance around and have fun. It's a moment of triumph for them,” he said.Booking BasicsMost facilities involve resident councils or other representative groups in their decisions about what kind of entertainment to book. Judging acts isn't as simple as it might sound for younger staff and administrators.It is important for facility leaders to realize that their residents might not like the same entertainment they do, said Daniel Bluestein, MD, CMD, a medical director and the head of geriatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk.“I was at a facility a few months ago, and they had this guy doing sort of a Jimmy Durante routine,” he explained. “I thought it was kind of corny, but the residents were really engaged. He made me realize that something that doesn't mean anything to me might be fun or entertaining for them.”J. Kenneth Brubaker, MD, CMD, medical director of three large long-term care facilities in the Lancaster, Pa., area, added that it is important to keep in mind each resident's religious and cultural backgrounds.“We have residents who would never dance or sing popular music. Staff need to know this so that they don't embarrass or upset these people by trying to get them involved in something that makes them uncomfortable. At the same time, we do need to have entertainment that they will enjoy – such as performers who sing hymns or play classical music.”Other elements contribute to successful events scheduling. “Routine is good,” said Mr. Richardson. “It's nice to have entertainment at regular times, such as a live performer every Saturday night and movies every Tuesday. This gives residents something concrete to look forward to, and family members can plan to attend if they want.”But variety can be good too, he added. “It's nice to have regular performers who can get to know the residents, but it also is nice to offer different styles of music and types of performers. You want to offer something for everyone, as much as possible.”Laura Edwards, CTRS, who coordinates therapeutic recreation at The Hoy Center in Virginia Beach, Va., said that many residents enjoy events that are unique.“We've scheduled a doggie fashion show. Anything with animals is popular, so we know this will be a big hit.”Senior contributing writer Joanne Kaldy is a freelance writer in Harrisburg, Pa., and a communications consultant for AMDA and other organizations. It's Saturday night, and Elvis is on stage. The crowd goes wild, and the show begins. It's just a typical evening at a nursing home. Increasingly, facilities are bringing in singers, dancers, bands, and other performers to entertain residents. While these are always feel-good events, they also may encourage exercise, improve appetites, and promote better sleep and attitudes, say organizers. In fact, Elvis impersonators are popular performers at nursing homes, and Ray Covey of Baytown, Tex., is one of them. “I've been doing it for over 22 years, and I love it. A lot of the residents don't have families who visit, and they really appreciate a little attention and love.” His audiences look forward to his visits, Mr. Covey said. Residents laugh, sing, and request songs such as “Jailhouse Rock” and “Hound Dog.” His performances often trigger memories, as members of his audiences tell of when they saw Elvis on television or in concert or even met him. “The ones who met him often say how nice and polite he was,” Mr. Covey noted. The faux Elvis recalled one rewarding and almost spooky incident: “There was a married couple who would always come to my shows. They would sit in their wheelchairs together, laughing and smiling. I went back after a 3-month absence, and she was alone and looking very sad. I found out that her husband had passed away recently. “Singing ‘Loving You,’ I took her hand, and she tried to smile. Suddenly, I felt a tingling in my head that went down to my hand. It was like her husband was reaching out to her through me,” said Mr. Covey. The experience, he said, has stuck with him. In another facility, he encountered a resident who was deeply depressed and lethargic. “When I sang to her, she perked up and seemed to really enjoy it. The facility called the next day and said how happy she was and that she asked when I was coming back.” The daughter of another woman who loved his performances asked Mr. Covey to sing at her mother's funeral. Elvis isn't the only celebrity who appears at nursing homes. Ian Anthony bills himself as “the U.K.'s Premier Tom Jones Tribute Artist,” and he performs in many “care homes” in England. “I must admit that I went into the first such gig with some trepidation,” said Mr. Anthony. “I really didn't know what to expect. … I soon learned that my elderly audiences are hugely appreciative and very happy to join in and engage in the spirit of the moment.” He admitted that he was surprised by the “energy and enthusiasm” of the residents. “They may be old in body, but they definitely are still young at heart and in mind. Some of them can dance their socks off,” he said. Mr. Anthony recalled Doris, who was celebrating her 100th birthday. Unfortunately, she had fallen days earlier, and she was bruised and in pain. Yet, once she saw Mr. Anthony, her face lit up. “I wondered at that moment, How could anyone say it isn't worth the effort to entertain elderly people?” he said. His mature audiences haven't lost their sense of humor, Mr. Anthony said. “Sometimes, they throw knickers at me with things written on them like ‘We love you, Tom’ and ‘Hi Sex Bomb.’ Sometimes they will throw a huge pair just for laughs.” Sometimes, the good-natured joke is on the entertainer encountering still-sharp wits. Singer Kevin Curry, who performs at many nursing facilities in the Midwest, recalled, “Once I was finishing up my program, and this woman pulled me aside and said, ‘Young man, I'm 94 years old, and after your performance, I feel like 90 again.’” Mr. Curry said he's rewarded by his nursing home gigs as much as the residents are. “I go in knowing that I need them as much as they need me. … Getting that human connection, that glimmer of emotion is more than rewarding. I get to bring the whole world in to them and be a guest in their home.” Hottest Ticket in TownIf laughter is the best medicine, singing is a close second, said Sherrie Dornberger, RN, president of the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care and former director of nursing at Pittman (N.J.) Manor senior living center, “Our residents love musical performers – anyone who sings and dances. We have an award-winning local choir that performs a couple times a year, and the auditorium is always packed.”When outside entertainers aren't around, she said, “Residents like to entertain one another. We have people who'll give impromptu recitals or play the piano or organ during meals. Lunch is really happy on those days.”The entertainment helps residents who are depressed or angry, said Ms. Dornberger. “We had a combative resident that no one could seem to help. She wouldn't engage with anyone, and she had no family.”When an entertainer came in who goes from room to room with a portable keyboard, staff sent him to see this resident. Within minutes, she was smiling and moving her hands with the music.“From that day on, we realized that we could get her to respond by singing or humming to her,” said Ms Dornberger. “We would talk to her in song, and it worked… it gave us new opportunities to communicate with her.” However, the singing staff couldn't replace the traveling pianist for the resident. “This guy was her best friend. She would just light up every time she saw him,” said Ms. Dornberger.Entertainment helps keep a facility from feeling like an institution, she contends. Not only do residents look forward to these events, but they also have something to talk about at meals and during other social interactions. For example, said Ms. Dornberger, “We had a female impersonator imitating Dolly Parton once. For days after, residents were talking about him. Specifically, they wondered about what he stuffed in his shirt to make him look like Dolly.”Anyone who thinks that all of this activity is too much for elderly people would be wrong, said Ms. Dornberger. “My residents love to be active. They're busier than most of my 50-year-old friends, and the busier they are the happier they are.”She stressed that entertainment is more than fun. “Residents who have activities to look forward to are less depressed. They get more exercise, so they sleep and eat better, and we use fewer sleep meds and nutrition drinks … the performances and the songs trigger memories and help stimulate their minds. Residents who have lost cognition often can still sing songs. This increases their confidence and makes them feel good.”Charles Richardson, director of lifestyles and life enrichment for the Brookdale Senior Living centers around the country, agreed that music is a powerful tool.“For people with dementia, singing is a moment of clarity. They may not know what day it is, but they can sing ‘Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree’ and dance around and have fun. It's a moment of triumph for them,” he said. If laughter is the best medicine, singing is a close second, said Sherrie Dornberger, RN, president of the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care and former director of nursing at Pittman (N.J.) Manor senior living center, “Our residents love musical performers – anyone who sings and dances. We have an award-winning local choir that performs a couple times a year, and the auditorium is always packed.” When outside entertainers aren't around, she said, “Residents like to entertain one another. We have people who'll give impromptu recitals or play the piano or organ during meals. Lunch is really happy on those days.” The entertainment helps residents who are depressed or angry, said Ms. Dornberger. “We had a combative resident that no one could seem to help. She wouldn't engage with anyone, and she had no family.” When an entertainer came in who goes from room to room with a portable keyboard, staff sent him to see this resident. Within minutes, she was smiling and moving her hands with the music. “From that day on, we realized that we could get her to respond by singing or humming to her,” said Ms Dornberger. “We would talk to her in song, and it worked… it gave us new opportunities to communicate with her.” However, the singing staff couldn't replace the traveling pianist for the resident. “This guy was her best friend. She would just light up every time she saw him,” said Ms. Dornberger. Entertainment helps keep a facility from feeling like an institution, she contends. Not only do residents look forward to these events, but they also have something to talk about at meals and during other social interactions. For example, said Ms. Dornberger, “We had a female impersonator imitating Dolly Parton once. For days after, residents were talking about him. Specifically, they wondered about what he stuffed in his shirt to make him look like Dolly.” Anyone who thinks that all of this activity is too much for elderly people would be wrong, said Ms. Dornberger. “My residents love to be active. They're busier than most of my 50-year-old friends, and the busier they are the happier they are.” She stressed that entertainment is more than fun. “Residents who have activities to look forward to are less depressed. They get more exercise, so they sleep and eat better, and we use fewer sleep meds and nutrition drinks … the performances and the songs trigger memories and help stimulate their minds. Residents who have lost cognition often can still sing songs. This increases their confidence and makes them feel good.” Charles Richardson, director of lifestyles and life enrichment for the Brookdale Senior Living centers around the country, agreed that music is a powerful tool. “For people with dementia, singing is a moment of clarity. They may not know what day it is, but they can sing ‘Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree’ and dance around and have fun. It's a moment of triumph for them,” he said. Booking BasicsMost facilities involve resident councils or other representative groups in their decisions about what kind of entertainment to book. Judging acts isn't as simple as it might sound for younger staff and administrators.It is important for facility leaders to realize that their residents might not like the same entertainment they do, said Daniel Bluestein, MD, CMD, a medical director and the head of geriatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk.“I was at a facility a few months ago, and they had this guy doing sort of a Jimmy Durante routine,” he explained. “I thought it was kind of corny, but the residents were really engaged. He made me realize that something that doesn't mean anything to me might be fun or entertaining for them.”J. Kenneth Brubaker, MD, CMD, medical director of three large long-term care facilities in the Lancaster, Pa., area, added that it is important to keep in mind each resident's religious and cultural backgrounds.“We have residents who would never dance or sing popular music. Staff need to know this so that they don't embarrass or upset these people by trying to get them involved in something that makes them uncomfortable. At the same time, we do need to have entertainment that they will enjoy – such as performers who sing hymns or play classical music.”Other elements contribute to successful events scheduling. “Routine is good,” said Mr. Richardson. “It's nice to have entertainment at regular times, such as a live performer every Saturday night and movies every Tuesday. This gives residents something concrete to look forward to, and family members can plan to attend if they want.”But variety can be good too, he added. “It's nice to have regular performers who can get to know the residents, but it also is nice to offer different styles of music and types of performers. You want to offer something for everyone, as much as possible.”Laura Edwards, CTRS, who coordinates therapeutic recreation at The Hoy Center in Virginia Beach, Va., said that many residents enjoy events that are unique.“We've scheduled a doggie fashion show. Anything with animals is popular, so we know this will be a big hit.”Senior contributing writer Joanne Kaldy is a freelance writer in Harrisburg, Pa., and a communications consultant for AMDA and other organizations. Most facilities involve resident councils or other representative groups in their decisions about what kind of entertainment to book. Judging acts isn't as simple as it might sound for younger staff and administrators. It is important for facility leaders to realize that their residents might not like the same entertainment they do, said Daniel Bluestein, MD, CMD, a medical director and the head of geriatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk. “I was at a facility a few months ago, and they had this guy doing sort of a Jimmy Durante routine,” he explained. “I thought it was kind of corny, but the residents were really engaged. He made me realize that something that doesn't mean anything to me might be fun or entertaining for them.” J. Kenneth Brubaker, MD, CMD, medical director of three large long-term care facilities in the Lancaster, Pa., area, added that it is important to keep in mind each resident's religious and cultural backgrounds. “We have residents who would never dance or sing popular music. Staff need to know this so that they don't embarrass or upset these people by trying to get them involved in something that makes them uncomfortable. At the same time, we do need to have entertainment that they will enjoy – such as performers who sing hymns or play classical music.” Other elements contribute to successful events scheduling. “Routine is good,” said Mr. Richardson. “It's nice to have entertainment at regular times, such as a live performer every Saturday night and movies every Tuesday. This gives residents something concrete to look forward to, and family members can plan to attend if they want.” But variety can be good too, he added. “It's nice to have regular performers who can get to know the residents, but it also is nice to offer different styles of music and types of performers. You want to offer something for everyone, as much as possible.” Laura Edwards, CTRS, who coordinates therapeutic recreation at The Hoy Center in Virginia Beach, Va., said that many residents enjoy events that are unique. “We've scheduled a doggie fashion show. Anything with animals is popular, so we know this will be a big hit.” Senior contributing writer Joanne Kaldy is a freelance writer in Harrisburg, Pa., and a communications consultant for AMDA and other organizations.
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