I Never Liked Nursing Homes...

[Cow Poke]

... but I'm seeing something really neat....

We have six nursing homes in town, ranging from "assisted living" (older folks who are really "with it") to.. um... downright near palliative care.

Our Church does a "church service" on the first Sunday of every month in two of the six nursing homes - one at 2:30 and one at 3:30 - so that, in a 3 month time, we've "done Church" in all six nursing homes.

We spend about 15 minutes singing some of the old hymns, then one of my associate pastors does a sermon, then we sing some more.

Some of the residents don't even seem like they're "there". Until we sing. Then it's almost like (sorry, but this is what comes to mind) Weekend at Bernie's. The songs seem to reach inside and turn something on, bringing back memories and even smiles. They don't always seem to "get" the sermon, but they really seem to connect with the music.

This afternoon, we had a lady who looked pretty much "out of it", but when we began to sing some of the old hymns, she "came to life", and sat there "directing" the music, waving her arm in time to the music. I watched her, and I would have to guess she was, at one time, the music leader, or "minster of music" for some Church somewhere, because she was really into it.

They're a blessing. We go there to be a blessing, but they bless us.

[Teallaura]

[LostSheep]

That's fantastic CP!

[Cow Poke]

What's really neat, LS, is that we have about 10 to 12 folks who commit the first Sunday of the month to this every month, rain or shine.

[Catholicity]

... but I'm seeing something really neat....

We have six nursing homes in town, ranging from "assisted living" (older folks who are really "with it") to.. um... downright near palliative care.

Our Church does a "church service" on the first Sunday of every month in two of the six nursing homes - one at 2:30 and one at 3:30 - so that, in a 3 month time, we've "done Church" in all six nursing homes.

We spend about 15 minutes singing some of the old hymns, then one of my associate pastors does a sermon, then we sing some more.

Some of the residents don't even seem like they're "there". Until we sing. Then it's almost like (sorry, but this is what comes to mind) Weekend at Bernie's. The songs seem to reach inside and turn something on, bringing back memories and even smiles. They don't always seem to "get" the sermon, but they really seem to connect with the music.

This afternoon, we had a lady who looked pretty much "out of it", but when we began to sing some of the old hymns, she "came to life", and sat there "directing" the music, waving her arm in time to the music. I watched her, and I would have to guess she was, at one time, the music leader, or "minster of music" for some Church somewhere, because she was really into it.

They're a blessing. We go there to be a blessing, but they bless us.

CP....Music is something that connects even with the most deteriorated Alzheimer's patients. It never leaves the brain. But you know....I have to tell you a secret. I like Nursing homes I like AL. Not because of the work, I mean when I was stronger I could deal with fluids and tubes all day, but it was the people who made it worth while. They're lonely and need someone to love them.

[rogue06]

Great story. Smells are another thing that triggers memories. Far more than sights and sounds. Maybe fry some bacon next time.

[Sparko]

I have seen good nursing homes and bad ones

We have at least two here in town that are really nice with staff that really care

I think that makes all the difference