Musical Tuesdays

As you might know, we've got a wonderful volunteer programme running in Riverlodge 3 (our Alzheimer's and Dementia section).  We have between 4 to 5 volunteers who come every morning of the week (different volunteers for each day) and help us with the stimulation groups with our residents living with Alzheimer's or Dementia.

The Tuesday volunteers recently decided that Tuesdays will now become musical mornings. Music really has a significant affect on elderly residents, whether they have Alzheimer's or not.  When I started working here almost 2 years ago, I was immediately introduced to the magic of Andre Rieu.  

One resident came to me after a movie that they did not enjoy as much as I was hoping they would and said:  "We once had a show of the most wonderful man with a violin.  We've never experienced such beauty, such wonder before.  You need to get that man for us."  

I was a little amused by her words, but I did ask around a bit and found out that she was talking about an Andre Rieu show they'd watched before.  I borrowed one of his shows from one of our other residents and put it on one Friday morning.  I had never been thanked so much in my life before.  The responses were overwhelming.  This is real therapy in a DVD case if  you are looking for a quick fix :)  

To get back to the Tuesday volunteers.  They have decided they want to simulate an Andre Rieu concert with our residents in Riverlodge 3.  They brought his CD and lots of musical instruments - from shakers to drums to bells - anything that can make a musical sound.  

They put on the CD and the concert was on.  It was a wonderful morning filled with laughter, music and movement.  The volunteers even blew up a lot of balloons so that they could throw them in the air at the end, something that apparently happens in the Andre Rieu concerts.  We had our own maestro morning and it was a blast.  

Here are some of the photos:

Caregivers joined in with the residents to make some music. 

Elsa Hofer and Hilda Holgate enjoying their morning. 

Volunteer Cathy Potgieter assisting Sheila Price to use the musical shaker.

Shirley Chambers enjoyed the music a lot and was moving and shaking along.  She also wanted to make Sara (as she calls the doll that we use for doll therapy) dance.  

Volunteer Liz Botsis blowing up the balloons for later in the show.

 Antonetti Ginesia enjoying the music.  

The balloons really were the perfect ending to a wonderful morning.  

I'm looking forward to many more musical mornings from these lovely volunteers.