May 13-19 is National Nursing Home Week. This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Journey”. During my employment as a nursing home activity director, I found this to be a busy, fun time for the residents. I was always on the watch for small ways to make memories during the week.
Music is a big part of celebrating. (To share this idea please share this Tweet.) For those musicians and health care providers seeking last-minute music ideas, I recommend consideration of songs about journeys and stages of life. Discussion questions could be added to create an event around each topic.
Journey
- King of the Road
- 500 Miles
- Leaving on a Jet Plane
- Route 66
- Side by Side
- We’re on the Homeward Trail
- There’s a Long, Long Trail
Stages of Life
- Que Sera
- Turn Around
- When I’m 64
- When I Grow to Old to Dream
- Times of Your Life
- Memories
- The Old Grey Mare
- Baby Face
- Cat’s in the Cradle
- Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da
A song most residents won’t know that seems to summarize a little about these two topics and mentions a nursing is “Seeing My Father in Me”.
To the many people who are caregivers and family members of those in nursing homes – Thank you for making a positive difference in the lives of the residents.
To the residents of nursing homes – May you find people to love and support you as you continue to celebrate the life you’ve been given.
* For more ideas for those who are caregivers of older adults, visit Music Sparks on Facebook.
While you may feel sad about spending your special day on your own, there are things you can do to make the most of it anyway..
Most of my National Nursing Home Week memories are filled with smiles, Tina.