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
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Seniors-Don't Iolate Them When Severe Weather Strikes
When spring approaches we all know that shifting temperatures, snow and rain can bring some severe weather. It is the time for tornadoes and flooding .They occur suddenly and many times without warning.
This type of weather can be quite frightening for older loved ones. It is quiet comforting for them knowing they have family, friends and caregivers that can make sure they are prepared.With a little encouragement, and few important steps we can help them plan ahead and feel secure no matter what is happening outside their door
Caregivers play an important role in developing a preparedness plan. The local TV stations weather programming is an excellent way to stay informed about approaching severe weather. Help them identify their "safe place " in their home. Help them plan and practice on what to do and what to take with them. Taking the home phone if it is portable or if the cord each is very important.
Help them pack an emergency kit. It will ensure a senior has everything he or she needs to make it several days or until help comes. In addition to nonperishable food, water,batteries and a flashlight a senior needs to pack at least a five day supply of medication,an extra pair of glasses and important
family documents, bank account records, an personal identification
Add some personal items and a whistle so your loved one can signal for help.A cellphone fully charged is another great to add in a senior's emergency kit. Be sure to include family numbers and emergency res-ponders number.
Be present. The safest thing we can do is be present in their lives. Let them know they can count on you in an emergency. Make sure they know when severe weather is in the forecast Remind them of their safe place and their survival kit.Agree on a "call plan" so that during the emergency you will call every 30 minutes to check on them. If there is no answer you will either be on your way or you will notify 911.
Remember a seniors with a good support systems typically thrive. By helping them plan ahead, and being involved in their lives on a daily basis, you are giving older loved ones a voice and a sense of empowerment long after the storm has passed.
This type of weather can be quite frightening for older loved ones. It is quiet comforting for them knowing they have family, friends and caregivers that can make sure they are prepared.With a little encouragement, and few important steps we can help them plan ahead and feel secure no matter what is happening outside their door
Caregivers play an important role in developing a preparedness plan. The local TV stations weather programming is an excellent way to stay informed about approaching severe weather. Help them identify their "safe place " in their home. Help them plan and practice on what to do and what to take with them. Taking the home phone if it is portable or if the cord each is very important.
Help them pack an emergency kit. It will ensure a senior has everything he or she needs to make it several days or until help comes. In addition to nonperishable food, water,batteries and a flashlight a senior needs to pack at least a five day supply of medication,an extra pair of glasses and important
family documents, bank account records, an personal identification
Add some personal items and a whistle so your loved one can signal for help.A cellphone fully charged is another great to add in a senior's emergency kit. Be sure to include family numbers and emergency res-ponders number.
Be present. The safest thing we can do is be present in their lives. Let them know they can count on you in an emergency. Make sure they know when severe weather is in the forecast Remind them of their safe place and their survival kit.Agree on a "call plan" so that during the emergency you will call every 30 minutes to check on them. If there is no answer you will either be on your way or you will notify 911.
Remember a seniors with a good support systems typically thrive. By helping them plan ahead, and being involved in their lives on a daily basis, you are giving older loved ones a voice and a sense of empowerment long after the storm has passed.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
So, Why A Smile
Have you ever noticed that people will always smile when looking at a baby? Is it because the baby flexes the muscles at the corner of its mouth and gives an infectious and true smile back in response to yours.
"Wear A smile, one size fits all".
So why smile? First of all, it is an attractive feature that draws people to you.
A smile makes us more attractive. We want to know a smiling person so we can find out what is so good. It is the frowns and scowls that push people away.
"Smile, It increases the face value"
It is a mood changer. If you feel a little down try smiling. Look in the mirror and see that smile. There is a good chance it will change the mood. Smiles confuses an on coming frown. All it takes is changing the direction of the corners of your mouth from down to up. A person can't stay mad at someone who makes them smile. My favorite exercise is smiling".
"A world always looks better with a smile"
A smile is contagious. When you smile you light up the area around you. Remember the song, "When you smile the whole world smiles at you." You should count your life by smiles, and not by the tears that roll. Don't wait for people to smile, show them how. It was quite interesting to read where retail stores who sell clocks often set the clock at 10 minutes after 10. In that way, the clocks appear to be smiling.
" The whole world works behind a smile because everyone smiles in the same language".
What does a smile do? A smile brings sunshine to the world.
"A friendly look, a kindly smile, and one kind act and life are worthwhile".
Some other collected quotes:
* "Wear a smile, one size fits all".
* " Keep smiling it makes people wonder what you have been up to".
* " A hug is a smile with arms"
* " Smile your teeth like sunshine too".
* " My favorite exercise is smiling".
"Wear A smile, one size fits all".
So why smile? First of all, it is an attractive feature that draws people to you.
A smile makes us more attractive. We want to know a smiling person so we can find out what is so good. It is the frowns and scowls that push people away.
"Smile, It increases the face value"
It is a mood changer. If you feel a little down try smiling. Look in the mirror and see that smile. There is a good chance it will change the mood. Smiles confuses an on coming frown. All it takes is changing the direction of the corners of your mouth from down to up. A person can't stay mad at someone who makes them smile. My favorite exercise is smiling".
"A world always looks better with a smile"
A smile is contagious. When you smile you light up the area around you. Remember the song, "When you smile the whole world smiles at you." You should count your life by smiles, and not by the tears that roll. Don't wait for people to smile, show them how. It was quite interesting to read where retail stores who sell clocks often set the clock at 10 minutes after 10. In that way, the clocks appear to be smiling.
" The whole world works behind a smile because everyone smiles in the same language".
What does a smile do? A smile brings sunshine to the world.
"A friendly look, a kindly smile, and one kind act and life are worthwhile".
Some other collected quotes:
* "Wear a smile, one size fits all".
* " Keep smiling it makes people wonder what you have been up to".
* " A hug is a smile with arms"
* " Smile your teeth like sunshine too".
* " My favorite exercise is smiling".
Friday, March 8, 2013
Keys To Change
My brand on twitter has been old sayings that pack meaning, power and wisdom. I grew up with old saying through the trickle down method from one generation to another. Some old sayings are packed with humor as well as wisdom. My collection has grown quite large and includes some of my own. I am now categorising them into topics. Here 10 old sayings under the topic of : "Keys To Change"
1. "Key to change is let go of fear."
2. "Sometimes you have to let go to see if there is anything worth holding on to."
3. "There is an important difference between letting go and giving up."
4. "Accept the things that can not be changed and move on."
5. "Hanging on to resentment is like letting someone you dislike live in your mind rent free"
6." Think about any attachments that are depleting you emotionally." Consider letting go.
7. "You can close your eyes to things you don't want to see, but you can't close your heart to things you don't want to feel."
8. "Holding back grudges, guilt, resentment and anger are all energy draining."
9. "Being happy doesn't mean everything make everything perfect. It means you have decided to move beyond imperfections."
10. "Some people regard change means quitting-which we all know is cowardly. But holding on to things that make you stumble makes you cowardly."
Nothing stays the same. Think about your fears of change. Think about accepting the things you can not change and move on. Let go of the clutter,
1. "Key to change is let go of fear."
2. "Sometimes you have to let go to see if there is anything worth holding on to."
3. "There is an important difference between letting go and giving up."
4. "Accept the things that can not be changed and move on."
5. "Hanging on to resentment is like letting someone you dislike live in your mind rent free"
6." Think about any attachments that are depleting you emotionally." Consider letting go.
7. "You can close your eyes to things you don't want to see, but you can't close your heart to things you don't want to feel."
8. "Holding back grudges, guilt, resentment and anger are all energy draining."
9. "Being happy doesn't mean everything make everything perfect. It means you have decided to move beyond imperfections."
10. "Some people regard change means quitting-which we all know is cowardly. But holding on to things that make you stumble makes you cowardly."
Nothing stays the same. Think about your fears of change. Think about accepting the things you can not change and move on. Let go of the clutter,
Friday, March 1, 2013
Random Memories
Recently I posted a quote: " I enjoy those random memories that pop up at no particular time that makes me smile. I love those of my early childhood when I was in awe of the world around me. It was a time of being a child, testing, learning and growing. When I posted the quote about random memories I immediately saw a picture in my mind of my best friend Dorothy and I learning how to cook. It made me smile.
One day we decided to make donuts. We got out the "Joy Of Cooking". cookbook, It was the cooking bible of the times. Carefully we read the list of ingredients, in fact we read it twice. As I read the amount for each ingredient Dorothy measured and placed them into big mixing bowl. The big bowl of batter was ready. I read the instructions :Drop in a deep kettle.
I dropped the batter in a tea-kettle that always sat on the cook stove. We cooked the batter for the specified time. What? the batter came spewing out the spout ! This is when it happened. I did not read the complete sentence. It said in a deep kettle of fat. On a recent visit Dorothy and I had a big laugh over the cooking experience.We certainly enjoyed our visit over a nice home cooked meal .Yes, we both turned out to be good cooks. I still have a cook book on my shelf named "Joy Of Cooking". Even though it is not the first edition I had, I find some of the old information on canning, pickling, and cooking all kinds of food are in it. Using it reminds me, how to keep valuables and how to lock some up in your heart and move on. And, after posted this random memory, I will start recording my random memories as they occur for my daughter for her to enjoy and smile.
One day we decided to make donuts. We got out the "Joy Of Cooking". cookbook, It was the cooking bible of the times. Carefully we read the list of ingredients, in fact we read it twice. As I read the amount for each ingredient Dorothy measured and placed them into big mixing bowl. The big bowl of batter was ready. I read the instructions :Drop in a deep kettle.
I dropped the batter in a tea-kettle that always sat on the cook stove. We cooked the batter for the specified time. What? the batter came spewing out the spout ! This is when it happened. I did not read the complete sentence. It said in a deep kettle of fat. On a recent visit Dorothy and I had a big laugh over the cooking experience.We certainly enjoyed our visit over a nice home cooked meal .Yes, we both turned out to be good cooks. I still have a cook book on my shelf named "Joy Of Cooking". Even though it is not the first edition I had, I find some of the old information on canning, pickling, and cooking all kinds of food are in it. Using it reminds me, how to keep valuables and how to lock some up in your heart and move on. And, after posted this random memory, I will start recording my random memories as they occur for my daughter for her to enjoy and smile.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
See It Through
I have written about "Don't Isolate Our Seniors for about six months now. Through a long stay in a rehabilitation hospital fighting to walk again I found many lonely seniors. I also discover how much better they were when involved in activities. I am talking about the seniors who live alone and don't drive. I am talking about the ones in a senior care facility who has no visitors. I am talking about a senior family member or a next door neighbor.
It occurred to me that through the very technologies that help isolate the seniors could be used to reach them. One of the first items I thought of was an audio book club for facilities and the home.
Through research and discussions with the Mt Juliet Senior Activity Center Executive Director we discovered there was an interest right there in the Center. A planning meeting was held on February 8th,2013. And, I am proud to say On February 28th the first book club meeting will take place.
My efforts have been research, providing materials, and finding was to raise money to support the club. The Senior Center has a policy that no one will be turned away because they couldn't afford to participate. To get the fund started I have offered to donate $1.00 for each box of note cards I sell from my shop, From My Brush.
To make it fun, I will be making membership certificates, book marks, and
providing a notebook to hold book club information. It is a dream come true. One that makes me realize it is the kind acts we can do each day that makes a better place for all of us. Whether it is in your home, your neighbors home, or a senior facility make reading books available through new technologies
It occurred to me that through the very technologies that help isolate the seniors could be used to reach them. One of the first items I thought of was an audio book club for facilities and the home.
Through research and discussions with the Mt Juliet Senior Activity Center Executive Director we discovered there was an interest right there in the Center. A planning meeting was held on February 8th,2013. And, I am proud to say On February 28th the first book club meeting will take place.
My efforts have been research, providing materials, and finding was to raise money to support the club. The Senior Center has a policy that no one will be turned away because they couldn't afford to participate. To get the fund started I have offered to donate $1.00 for each box of note cards I sell from my shop, From My Brush.
To make it fun, I will be making membership certificates, book marks, and
providing a notebook to hold book club information. It is a dream come true. One that makes me realize it is the kind acts we can do each day that makes a better place for all of us. Whether it is in your home, your neighbors home, or a senior facility make reading books available through new technologies
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Senior Isolation Awarenss
Do you know how it feels to be isolated and lonely? Are you aware of senior friends and neighbors who don't get out of the house much. Ones that you can reach out to and invite for a walk, or invite for coffee, and even invite to a Bunco party or card game?
I became aware of seniors who were starved for friendships when I had to spend four and one-half months in a rehab hospital facing the possibility of not walking again. My daughter lived two states away and flew in every two weeks for the weekends to see me and take care of my house.I knew I had a lot to face, keep up my spirit, work with a vision of walking again. It was here I began to see isolated seniors. My roommate had no visitors and often cried when I left the room for therapy or dining. Weekends were the worst because the activities director and the physical therapists did not work weekends.It was then I decided to push my wheel chair around and visit. I had to learn to maneuver the wheel chair because I couldn't put my foot down. My left leg was extended straight out in front of me by a leg apparatus attached to the wheelchair and my steel surgical boot made me look like a military tank.
Visiting gave me something to do and along with several hours a day in therapy kept me busy. By reaching out to others it gave me strength and a positive attitude and made the days go by quickly. It was during that time I
began to list what types of service programs would benefit residents in senior facilities. Musical programs topped the list. Providing equipment to download music and play to a group, or downloading talking books. Be creative with new technologies.
I became aware of seniors who were starved for friendships when I had to spend four and one-half months in a rehab hospital facing the possibility of not walking again. My daughter lived two states away and flew in every two weeks for the weekends to see me and take care of my house.I knew I had a lot to face, keep up my spirit, work with a vision of walking again. It was here I began to see isolated seniors. My roommate had no visitors and often cried when I left the room for therapy or dining. Weekends were the worst because the activities director and the physical therapists did not work weekends.It was then I decided to push my wheel chair around and visit. I had to learn to maneuver the wheel chair because I couldn't put my foot down. My left leg was extended straight out in front of me by a leg apparatus attached to the wheelchair and my steel surgical boot made me look like a military tank.
Visiting gave me something to do and along with several hours a day in therapy kept me busy. By reaching out to others it gave me strength and a positive attitude and made the days go by quickly. It was during that time I
began to list what types of service programs would benefit residents in senior facilities. Musical programs topped the list. Providing equipment to download music and play to a group, or downloading talking books. Be creative with new technologies.
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