Posts Tagged ‘older adults’
A Musical Response for When a Senior Says, "I Just Want to Die"
Song Spotlight: “When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along)”
Mood: Cheerful, Jaunty Themes: Signs of Spring, Birds, Feeling Happy Tempo: Moderate (Andante) Genre/style: 1920s popular song Today’s song spotlight is one of my favorite songs to herald the coming of springtime. It’s also great for inspiring a cheerful mood. The song? “When The Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along”
Read MoreHow I Start Group Music Therapy Sessions
How to Create the Ideal Environment for Group Activities for Seniors
As a music therapist, I facilitate group sessions in a variety of settings. Every nursing home or assisted living facility or senior apartment building I go to has a different place for activity programming, and some are definitely better than others. Of course, some of the advantage or disadvantage comes from the construction of the…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “Danny Boy”
Mood: Sentimental, Wistful Themes: Ireland, Saying Goodbye, Missing a Loved One, Death Tempo: Slow to moderate Genre/style: Ballad “Danny Boy” is one of those songs that is at once ubiquitous and mysterious. I’ve been singing this song a lot in the last week for music therapy sessions leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, and two clients reacted in ways…
Read MoreHow Music Therapy Brought a Couple Together Again
Song Spotlight: “Hound Dog”
Mood: Upbeat, full of attitude Theme: Dogs and/or freeloading gigolos Tempo: Moderate Genre/style: Rhythm and blues/Rock and roll We have a new family member in our house! This one gets around on four legs and has very long, droopy ears. His name is Duke, and he’s the adorable basset hound pictured above. I alluded to the inevitable canine addition…
Read MoreWhy You Might Want a Music Therapist, Even If You Don't Need One
Song Spotlight: “Cuddle Up a Little Closer, Lovey Mine”
Mood: Sentimental, tender Theme: Love, physical tenderness Tempo: Relaxed Genre/style: Popular/Easy Listening Love songs appear frequently in music therapy sessions, especially when the goal is bringing loved ones together in the music. There are so many GOOD love songs, too, which is to be expected, I guess, since love has been the subject of artists of…
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