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Hedy Ciocci, B.S.N., Administrator of the Selfhelp Home specializes in dementia care services, has extensive experience working with families and elderly patients, and is a registered nurse.
Recently, Hedy interviewed Gerald Rizzer, founder, artistic head, and pianist of the Chicago Ensemble, a performing arts group for more than thirty years. Hedy and Mr. Rizzer talked about some of the beneficial aspects of listening to music as we age.
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Music As We Age
Q: What are some of the benefits of listening to music for elderly people?
A: I think it makes contact with both their intellectual and their emotional selves. In that sense, it's important for everybody and for the elderly, it helps to keep the mind active. Listening to a great composer requires attention, but also, it will reach emotions one can't always tap into in any other way. People are moved by listening to music and have associations with experiences in their lives. This can be very positive for people and bring back fond memories.
Q: So, music helps us to get engaged emotionally and mentally. Are there some ways to encourage the elderly to listen to music with more appreciation?
A: People in a retirement or nursing home may not appreciate a long lecture, but it's good just to point out a few themes that they can listen for; also, to say a little bit about the background of the composer.
Q: When a person moves into a retirement facility, is there any music equipment that you would recommend that they buy or take with them? How else can you incorporate music into this new home environment?
A: Many people wear earphones or headphones today, and if they choose to listen to music and can't hear as well as they used to, they're not going to disturb their neighbors if they wear earphones. From a retirement home standpoint, I think it's good to have a piano and in fact, it should be a requirement! Residents should have the opportunity to participate in making music, whether it's singing or something else. Certain percussion instruments don't take much skill and a creative teacher can develop a small group that can perform using instruments that are not all that difficult to learn.
Q: If older people say, "I never really made time for music, but I'd like to get more into music..." What would you recommend that these people listen to?
A: I would suggest they listen to a variety of music styles and decide what appeals to them the most. I don't feel that classical music is the only avenue. I have no problem with listening to Broadway musicals or jazz or favorite hits. As for classical composers...I think one should try a variety of styles.
Q: So, who would go on your list?
A: I would choose some good operas. There are dozens of videos available and one can see the whole performance. I would try something like La Boheme by Puccini, or Mozart's Marriage of Figaro. Among the instrumental pieces, I would include piano works by Chopin, which are usually intense in expression and short in length. Q: You also mentioned Broadway musicals, what would you suggest?
A: Rodgers and Hammerstein or Lerner and Lowe, for example, The Music Man or Showboat. Q: What other classical combinations?
A: Chamber music is wonderful, for instance, Mendelssohn Trio #1 in "D" minor for viola, cello and piano, or a Schubert piano trio. There are some beautiful selections of songs by the 19th Century Romantic composers such as Schubert and Schumann. Q: What about jazz?
A: Absolutely. The first two eras of jazz, which would be Dixieland, as well as King Oliver and Louis Armstrong, from the 20's into the early 30's. And then the Big Bands like Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and Count Basie.Q: What do you think is the special benefit of a live performance of music?
A: I think live performances make a tremendous difference. Picking up on the excitement of the performance and watching the movement of the interaction of the performers is always intriguing. It is a method of communication and communication is better when it's live. People are more likely to share their experience with the person sitting next to them. It is a social experience and I prefer the intimacy of a concert experience.
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What do you think? We welcome your comments Please email me at Hedy@SelfhelpHome.orgThe Selfhelp Home is a Jewish non-profit senior living community offering independent living, assisted living, long-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation care.
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Entertainment Calendar
January 2013
You are welcome to join us for any of our events. Simply contact Barbara Snower. Click here to email to reserve your seat. We look forward to meeting you!
January 6
2:30 p.m.
Laura Fenster,
Piano Trio
January 13
2:30 p.m.
Phyllis Adams,
Harp and Flute
January 20
2:30p.m.
Heather Aranyi,
Soprano,
Tom Platt, Piano
January 27
2:30p.m.
Fifth House Ensemble
Quartet
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Volunteers Make All The Difference
If you have time to volunteer for just a few hours per month, we have many opportunities for you to become part of our family!
Our featured volunteer opportunity for the month of January is:
Driving Residents to Shopping and Appointments
Many residents are no longer able to drive and taking a bus, the train or a cab can be expensive and difficult during the winter months. If you are willing to take some of your time to drive someone to an appointment or take them grocery shopping or clothes shopping, it would help stretch someone's budget and provide some welcome companionship.
Please click here to volunteer your time to drive a Selfhelp resident to appointments or to shop. |
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