Sunday, April 14, 2013

Name that Tune for Seniors.

Music has always reached people all over the world. Music has no language barrier and is known to be soothing and therapeutic. So why not use today's new technologies and bring the music to the ears of the seniors who are in need of companionship an interacting with others.

There are many ways to download music to an MP3 player- an audio book or to a Kindle. In this way songs can be selected from seniors time frame. Music they were brought up with. Music of their early adulthood. Each day I am on twitter I come across tweets that remind me of songs of my past. Some times, just for fun I go to YouTube and select a song. I copy and paste the URL to my twitter sight to serenade my followers. For example: Some one tweets have a great day. You can select Zippidydudah. It has made an impact with many and I certainly have enjoyed sharing my game.

Remember the old radio program "Name that Tune". You would listened to a few bars of a tune and named the tune. This could be done in a senior care facility. Play the music and the first one who names the tune correctly gets a small prize. Folks love to hear music and they love to win. Small gifts can be donated and ones that the facility allows. Cd's can be donated for the game as well. Give them 30 minutes of music and games.

For the Senior who is home bound this could be a fun thing to do with the whole family.  Let the family enjoy the music and learn the songs that grandma and grandpa listen to through their years. The elderly Aunt surely will hum a familiar tune of her yesteryear's.

I met a music therapist on line who has a website and shares ideas and songs for intergenerational activities with music. Joann Jordan is a board certified music therapist who loves working with older adults and preschoolers-especially intergenerational groups. Her website has some good information. The address is www.music2spark.com Oh twitter she is @JordanEM


Keeping our seniors from being isolated is something everyone can help with. Get involved in how we can bring some friendship to our seniors and keep them from being isolated