LIFESTYLE in a Care Home
So what style can we have in a care home?
Well, in ours, there is plenty of entertainment. Singers, musicians, dancers all come in to spend time with the residents. They always put on a great show. Some sing the old songs for the old folk, the popular songs: like Roll Out the Barrel. Some lead songs from decades past, music the oldsters can relate to, remember with fondness, the wartime songs: Lily Marlene, Keep the Home Fires Burning. Ofttimes there is overlap of the eras in such songs.
There is classical piano, there are the Silver Tone singers, the grey hair crowd.
Remembering is so-o-o important. And so, many of the residents sing along.
There are games, also provided by the recreation staff. Thursday is Bingo Night. Other nights they play Pass the Quarter, Black Jack, Uno, and so on. Often it’s players choice.
They have Pub Hour, Hallowe’en Party, and Birthday Party.
They have family visits galore and inter-generational times when the wee ones come in and do crafts and make general personal connections with the folks in the home.
And in between, hugs and chats, and coffee time in the Garden Café…people make friends. Two people will find a connection and hook up for chats and walks, and sun times in the lovely garden.
These folks are stylin’. (see below)
Recently there was a talent show. The younger personalities within the oldsters came out and shone. Everybody has something to share: Style! Singing, harmonic-in’, dancin’, even some stellar art and lots of joke tellin’. These folks have spunk. It pulls them out of any purple funk. Depression is no longer possible.
And all of this really does ease the burden, and it is a pleasure to go in for lengthy visits, for the staff members are all bright and cheerful, and they enable all residents to enjoy their time.
They have medical staff, foot care people, massage ladies, dentistry folk…all come in to assist in the care giving and the comforting.
And, oh yes, they have ‘Stylin’ ’.
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*In the September 2015 issue of Senior Living our of Victoria, B.C., there is tribute to the launching of the Provincial Family Caregiver Program, under the Ministry of Health. The magazine says “After 26 years, we have provincial program funding for the first time.” It calls this a milestone for caregivers in B.C.
STYLIN’
H. W. Bryce
The old folks are sittin’ ’round,
Their hinges are a-creakin’,
Their limbs are feelin’ like they’re bound
While ol’ man Willy, he’s a freakin’–
And moanin’ is their only sound,
Long time since their ‘willin’ has bin found.
Along comes Suzie from the ‘rec’
With her ever cheerful smile,
She oozes energy, pep talk and cheer,
And the old folks they sit up, take note…
Well now they’re up and movin’ round
Almost in sync with the tunes they’re playin’
And whadya know they’re stylin’!
We’re stylin’, we’re stylin’,
Looky man, see us go, we’re stylin’.
Edith’s singin’, Mabel’s clappin’ hands,
Old Joe is strummin’ air guitar
See Sister Mellie’s fingers boogyin’
And Slim is dancin’ in his chair,
We’re stylin’. Yes we’re stylin’.
Stylin’ man, we’re stylin’.
The old folks are up and movin’ ’round,
They’re talkin’ talk and reminiscin’,
The whole darn place is full of sound
Their aches and pains are in remission
Everyone in the hole darn place is smilin’
Cause the old folks’, they’re a stylin’!
Stylin’, stylin’, we may be old but we are stylin’,
Stylin’, stylin’ you just cannot beat the whilin’
Quite so much as when you’re up and stylin’.
Stylin’, stylin’, ye just gotta get up and start your stylin’.
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Photo Credit:
https://www.pinterest.com/source/i.imgur.com/Tess Ackheim
Tess Ackheim writes: This made me tear up…i only have one grandma left…and I work in a long term care facility….older folks need to know they’re loved…
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