Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Playing For Nursing Homes/Senior Centers, etc.....

At least in my area, in a nursing home or assisted-living facility a tips jar would be hugely inappropriate. Also pointless, since the residents do not carry money with them.

Yeah, but who knows, you pick up a free set of dentures!

In my province, no homemade food is allowed in the care homes to prevent contamination with bacteria which could make the residents sick. Store bought sealed items are allowed.

Care homes have a set of rules and regulations, so anyone who is doing something for the residents, even just planning a birthday party for a relative/friend, should ask for them. Aids or nurses are not always fully cognizant about the rules which don't apply to their own area of responsibilities..

I've done it twice, once with my duet partner and the second time with my daughters (at the same assisted living place). We only played the classical repertory, but it went very well, even though the first time I was a nervous wreck and made tons of mistakes. I noticed that the residents liked a little conversation in between the pieces and overall.

Thanks for all of the ideas and advice. I'm going to try substituting (or adding) some simple Beatles songs, but I won't be bringing a tip jar. Gotta get back to practicing now!

I used to play such stuff for old time and modern dancing, for the elderly crowd at the working men's club where this work was. Like, twenty years ago
They told us (a three piece) that they wanted the new tunes instead. Well, "My Yidishee Momma" was new to me . . . . so was "Red sails in the Sunset"

We didn't last too long there!

I've been doing this for years. Sometimes background music for dinners etc. Sometimes for sort of mini concerts. I've even played music while people are arriving for Senior Readers plays. A couple times I played appropriate music to lead into the themes for play acts. Various other situation too like Christmas music for Christmas functions of various types. If you do it a few times you'll get requests that you can add "next time"

I've even had a few who used to play themselves and I always encourage them to play anything they remember. One lady could obviously play well at one time but could only remember "How Much is that Doggy in the Window" She played it over and over, I think she'd still be playing it if I didn't gently suggested it was my turn. She was all smiles an her eyes lit up. The audience love it.

I've even typed up some lyric sheets for the most common and most loved songs.

All very low key, non judgemental environments and lots of fun. It's even more fun now that I'm a senior citizen myself.

Almost anything is appropriate and appreciated. Remember, although their situation is common, they are from all walks of life and have all kinds of tastes in music just like all of us. They're just folks.

If you get a chance, do it. You won't be sorry and it's a good experience for the player AND the audience.

Fun stuff!

My late mother-in-law was in a couple of nursing homes the last several years of her life. I was fortunate enough to play for the senior residents on many occasions. The activities director for one of the nursing homes asked me to play on a regular basis once a month on Sunday afternoons. Over time, I played all of my instruments, and usually sang as I played. I played my acoustic guitar, 5-stringed banjo, violin and, of course, the piano. I enjoyed playing them all, but I really enjoyed playing the piano because it is my newest instrument I'm learning to play.

On the Sunday gigs I played mostly older Church hymns and southern Gospel songs. It seemed like I had an endless supply of material because I've been involved in Church most of my life. Sometimes the residents, almost all in wheelchairs, would sing along. I'll never forget the smiles on those mature faces.

The thought of adding a bit of joy, happiness, entertainment, and inspiration to their lives was priceless.

On occasion, (other than Sundays) I'd back-slide a bit and play some oldies rock-n-roll, boogie-woogie and blues. Not only would I notice the smiles, but just a bit of weaving and bobbing, and tapping the feet in those wheelchairs was a sight to see. I'd play Ray Charles, "I can't stop loving you", "Georgia on my mind", Elvis and Willie's "You were always on my mind"; Fat's domino's "Blueberry Hill" and "Twist", Little Richard's "Good-golly miss Molly" and "Tutti-Fruitti"; Jerry Lee's "Whole lotta shakin". I'd slow it down a bit and play "Somewhere over the rainbow" or "America the beautiful", or some old country music tunes by Hank Williams senior. I know they enjoyed it, but it was a lot of fun for me too. For one reason, they actually thought I could play a piano.

Sometimes I'd play my own original songs and arraignments, but since they'd never heard those tunes, they weren't as excited, or my original tunes weren't that good (or a combination of the two).

Since my mother-in-law passed away, I miss going to the nursing home and performing for the residents. With my wife being severely disabled herself, I find it hard to breakaway and take the time to go play.

I didn't mean to be so wordy, but the bottom line is the nursing home residents will enjoy anything you play. They mostly enjoy the time someone is willing to spend with them...

Rick

How cool is that! I never thought about what activities seniors could do to avoid dementia. I think the connection between dancing and this is explained by the fact that music relaxes them, detaches them from the anxieties, and entertains. A busy mind can't go crazy. Now you gave me a good idea that I will apply in my grandmother's case, who is currently being cared for by a specialist from https://myhometouch.com/cost-of-live-in-care. I will suggest she go to the dance classes at the nursing home near her house. Many of her friends go there too, so I think she will feel great.

I walk past a senior living place regularly, and some of the residents look solidly like they might have been at Woodstock or like deadheads who fell off the tour and landed here. I imagine that their musical tastes might be different from their lifelong LDS neighbors!

Blimey! Sounds like the repertoire my bands had, playing for old time dancing back in the seventies. You better chuck in Viva Espania, Tie a yellow Ribbon, and . . . . .Sweet Caroline plus a few others for good measure.
And there's always "Red Sails in the Sunset" and "My Yidishee Momma" for some of the real oldies . . .
Have fun!

That is how I met my first wife.

So let me guess. You played at a Nursing home and she was one of the staff, and fell in love with you when she heard you play? That is so romantic!

I have been doing this with a violinist friend of mine for years. There has been a demographic shift post-pandemic. Before we were doing a lot of the Great American Songbook. These days we have found that pre-Beatles rock and roll goes over very well and the folks will sing along. We usually do fifteen songs to the hour. We also make sure that the melody does not go over fourth line D in the treble, as that seems to be too high for the audience to sing.

Here's a current playlist:

Let it Be Me -- Everly Bros
A White Sports Coat -- Marty Robbins
Love Letters in the Sand -- Pat Boone
I Can't Help Falling In Love With You -- Elvis
Dream Lover -- Bobby Darin
Only You -- Platters
Anytime -- Eddy Arnold
The Great Pretender Platters(?)
Are You Lonesome Tonight Elvis
All I have to Do Is Dream -- Everly Bros
Bye Bye Love -- Everly Bros
Blueberry Hill -- Fats Domino
You're Sixteen -- Ringo Starr
Who's Sorry Now -- Connie Francis
Blue Moon -- everybody

Have fun. The people you'll be playing for will be a very appreciative and forgiving audience, so don't be nervous and have a good time.

This is an awesome thread. Thank you to those who play for the seniors!

Nursing homes should be in every state. Most elders need care and a safe place to live. It's very cool that the government and non-government organizations care about vulnerable people. By getting the help they need, the elderly feel needed and not alone. I would not want to suffer from loneliness in my old age. I feel sorry for the older people who have to wait in line to get medical care. It would be nice to have hospitals just for the elderly. Many older people get their medical care in the homes where they live. Among the Top 10 assisted living properties in Florida, I found good nursing homes with quality care for the elderly.