Care homes, etc.,

[said]

I really feel sorry for those people who are in care homes/rest homes or on OAP outings who attend entertainment evenings.

It would appear that organisers/ musicians feel that they are bringing some form of nostalgia to these people - by playing old WW2 music and songs.

For anyone to have remembered such period music, they would have to be in their nineties by now and there are few people of this great age about. Why don't they entertain people with a more modern, brighter, relaxing type of music that most do remember?

[seivad]

I really feel sorry for those people who are in care homes/rest homes or on OAP outings who attend entertainment evenings.

It would appear that organisers/ musicians feel that they are bringing some form of nostalgia to these people - by playing old WW2 music and songs.

For anyone to have remembered such period music, they would have to be in their nineties by now and there are few people of this great age about. Why don't they entertain people with a more modern, brighter, relaxing type of music that most do remember?

It's the music of their youth, and people of all ages usually enjoy hearing the music of whatever time period their youth was in.

I'm not in my nineties, but WW2 music was very much a part of my childhood. It's the music that played on the radio, and on my parent's gramophone. Family Favourites, anyone?

Me... when I get to that age I'll happily be ferried to watch Zeppelin tribute bands

[Hamble]

I really feel sorry for those people who are in care homes/rest homes or on OAP outings who attend entertainment evenings.

It would appear that organisers/ musicians feel that they are bringing some form of nostalgia to these people - by playing old WW2 music and songs.

For anyone to have remembered such period music, they would have to be in their nineties by now and there are few people of this great age about. Why don't they entertain people with a more modern, brighter, relaxing type of music that most do remember?

Music lifts the spirits in desperate times plus the short term memory go' before the long.

[Albion102]

It is a proven part of dementia therapy to provide things which trigger old memories and can be therapeutic.

If you take peak Led Zep as 1972 and you really had to be about 15+ to engage with it, then it wont be a care home staple until 2042 when 1972 teenages approach 85, the average age for care home residents.

[silver fox]

I really feel sorry for those people who are in care homes/rest homes or on OAP outings who attend entertainment evenings.

It would appear that organisers/ musicians feel that they are bringing some form of nostalgia to these people - by playing old WW2 music and songs.

For anyone to have remembered such period music, they would have to be in their nineties by now and there are few people of this great age about. Why don't they entertain people with a more modern, brighter, relaxing type of music that most do remember?

Remember this, don't underestimate the power of familiar music.

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[Gegsy]

I really feel sorry for those people who are in care homes/rest homes or on OAP outings who attend entertainment evenings.

It would appear that organisers/ musicians feel that they are bringing some form of nostalgia to these people - by playing old WW2 music and songs.

For anyone to have remembered such period music, they would have to be in their nineties by now and there are few people of this great age about. Why don't they entertain people with a more modern, brighter, relaxing type of music that most do remember?

Looking at various websites, it would seem that 60% of residents in care homes are aged 85 and over and so in their youth would equate with crooners such as Nat King Cole, Perry Como etc. 30% from 75 to 84 years old (advent of Rock'n'roll to the Beatles) and 10% aged 65 to 74 years old (Beatles Stones and Abba). Just imagine in 10 years time when heavy rock and Punk become favourites.

[said]

Looking at various websites, it would seem that 60% of residents in care homes are aged 85 and over and so in their youth would equate with crooners such as Nat King Cole, Perry Como etc. 30% from 75 to 84 years old (advent of Rock'n'roll to the Beatles) and 10% aged 65 to 74 years old (Beatles Stones and Abba). Just imagine in 10 years time when heavy rock and Punk become favourites.

Ha!Ha! Interesting thought. That would really stump the local 'musician's' who play at these venues.

[whiplash]

I am a carer now and love it,wish I had done it years ago.It is so rewarding you feel that you have done someone some good.
Music is a feelgood thing esp Old big band music.(feet tap so do fingers).
Just done a 12 hour shift,,knackered.

[said]

I am a carer now and love it,wish I had done it years ago.It is so rewarding you feel that you have done someone some good.
Music is a feelgood thing esp Old big band music.(feet tap so do fingers).
Just done a 12 hour shift,,knackered.

Good for you - those who you are caring for will be grateful that you are there.

As you say - if the clients are provided with good music - it is very beneficial for them, but all too often they are confronted with a personal appearance of some arrogant charlatans who cannot even read music, let alone play an instrument properly. I remember watching a professional saxophonist in a duo with a charlatan piano player. Ha!Ha! The guy on the saxophone kept frowning at the pianist who persistently played at the wrong tempo. The saxophonist was trying hard to keep up with him but gave up completely when the pianist went right off the piece of music that they were playing, and went on with something completely different involving an imitation of Liberace's lifted hands and grinning at the audience. I don't think many of the elderly audience, if any, noticed though.

[Darkside]

My Mum is in her mid-70s. Last year I had to take her to see Def Leppard for the 4th time. My husband mentioned that AC/DC are touring next year and she piped up "Ooh really? Can I come?". At Christmas she actually went up to a sales assistant in M&S and asked if they could please turn off "that bloody Michael Buble" as it made her want to commit acts of violence God help the other residents should she ever need to go into a nursing home!

[seivad]

My Mum is in her mid-70s. Last year I had to take her to see Def Leppard for the 4th time. My husband mentioned that AC/DC are touring next year and she piped up "Ooh really? Can I come?". At Christmas she actually went up to a sales assistant in M&S and asked if they could please turn off "that bloody Michael Buble" as it made her want to commit acts of violence God help the other residents should she ever need to go into a nursing home!

A woman after my own heart

[local]

My Mum is in her mid-70s. Last year I had to take her to see Def Leppard for the 4th time. My husband mentioned that AC/DC are touring next year and she piped up "Ooh really? Can I come?". At Christmas she actually went up to a sales assistant in M&S and asked if they could please turn off "that bloody Michael Buble" as it made her want to commit acts of violence God help the other residents should she ever need to go into a nursing home!

She isn't too far away in age Brian Johnson lead singer (AC/DC 71

Then she could see the Stones depending on Micks heart op he's 75.

[bambi275]

I sort of agree with said, it's time to pack up 'pack up your troubles' and bring in slightly newer music.
I used to work in care and we had a blind lady who.loved horticulture. I mentioned that a local radio station was airing from the Southport Flower Show and David Bellamy would be giving interviews along the way. She loved the idea of this and so I put the radio on for her. Rafio waz adapted and had Braille on the buttons.
Sometime later we had an unannounced inspection, as happens, and it just so occured that when the inspector passed this lady's room Meatloaf was blaring away - apparently someone had requested it!
I was summoned to the office and giben a stern telling off for subjecting the elderly to such awful noise. The inspector didn't believe for one minute my 'story' re the Flower Show.
I went up and apologised to the lady, who higgled and said she felt the music had put some life back into her soul. The inspector never even asked her if she was okay - just decided it was plain wrong!
A week later the home received a call to say the inspector had bern out to lunch with her friend who had told her a about the wonderful broadcast from the show - still no apology for not believing me though.
Moral of the story - ask the residents what they want, afterall, they are the ones paying to stay there!

[bambi275]

On a side note, my Dad died aged 81 loving Bob Marley and Mike Oldfields Tubular Bells, Mum died aged 74 loving Elvis, Bublè and Amy Winehouse.
The elderly are not stuck in timewarps of their youth.

[pedoja]

On a side note, my Dad died aged 81 loving Bob Marley and Mike Oldfields Tubular Bells, Mum died aged 74 loving Elvis, Bublè and Amy Winehouse.
The elderly are not stuck in timewarps of their youth.

Be careful when you use the word 'elderly'!


There are many in the over 70 age group who could "give you a run for your money!"