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OK, who here will hold me accountable to at least get my own sorry rear-end to the local nursing home with my Casio WK-200 (actually my daughter's) under one arm and the stand and seat under the other, and the kids toting their instruments and the Reader's Digest family favorites books in tow?
I've been saying I will do this for nearly 2 years. I used to do it back in MI, with just one of the residents who 'played' harmonica along with whatever song I played. I played my acoustic and had to transpose everything to C because that's what key his harmonica was in.
Gotta get some practice in - this is an important gig.
Scott,
We have a 30-ish minstrel who comes in with his acoustic guitar on no set schedule and quietly entertains for about an hour before leaving unceremoniously. As I had mentioned earlier, as a deterrent to theft, we are not allowed to carry cash, so he doesn't even get tips, just appreciative smiles. He does Country and light Classic Rock (John Denver, CCR, etc.).
I'm very proud of you for what you are doing. I only regret that I won't hear you.
Ask for the Activities Director. You will be welcomed.
I am buying 5 cheap mp3 players for those who may not be able to afford one. I am also discussing the idea with the Administrator and the VA, especially to help veterans get players.
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Go Scott, GO!!!
Bless you for helping with music, Don.
God bless all of you for sharing your musical gifts with others!!!
Stan
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Don, Check out www.musicandmemory.org - the organization that put the original video together. They have a whole system in place for making iPod shuffles available, to listeners, with an interview process as to how to load the appropriate songs onto the player. One thing that I've already done is suggest www.musicandmemory.org to the FAWM.org community as our charity of choice for this year's February Album Writing Month. They guy who runs that organization takes in donations to keep the site up and running for the songwriting frenzy that occurs during February, and also commits to giving 50% of the donations away to some organization that uses music in a philanthropic way. Here's how to get your facility in touch with www.musicandmemory.org http://musicandmemory.org/landing/music-memory-certification-program1/-Scott
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I hope that Dr Gannon is following this thread. The YT videos talk about the savings in mood altering drugs alone as phenomenal. The savings in one day would pay for many iPods. The "Shuffle" sells for US$49 and they (the presenters) estimate the per patient cost to be US$80. I wonder what the major pharmaceutical manufacturing companies would do. Probably attack under copyright infringement laws.
Peter, how do I get the Administrators to take this seriously? What are your thoughts on Music Therapy in general? How would you convince the Administration folks?
I have seen it improve the quality of life for several terminally ill, advanced-stage Alzheimer's victims so I am convinced that it works. At least to make victims' final days so much happier.
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Don,
As euluded to in our last PM exchange, at this stage of the game I would think the administrators already know the benefits derived from music therapy. If not and they have been living under a rock I would suggest they contact their peers around the country and quiz them as to how they are using music therapy in their facilities.
With this said the next step would be to budget for this therapy (like they do any other) and of course schedule as many different music act they can afford, or get volunteers to perform.
PS: If they would like to contact some of the directors I deal with just PM me and I will be happy to provide the contact information.
Later,
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Danny, I have been trying to get the nursing home administrator to realize the potential of music therapy for nearly three years, nada. My speech therapist is the only one to show an iota of medical interest. I'm beginning to believe that Medicare/Medicaid won't pay for unorthodox therapies so nobody wants to get involved. They are rightly concerned about being paid for their services.
Today I emailed Oklahoma State Department of Rehabilitation and laid the question on them. I'm convinced that its a matter of taking money from the pharmaceutical companies who comprise one of the largest lobbies in the world.
A month ago, I mentioned a State Rehabilitation Specialist who promised me a new technology computer mouse, an iPad, a laser printer, and more communication devices who has since dropped off the radar so I have lost confidence in her.
Snip: It may be necessary for me to do all of the mental "legwork" and then present the project, pre-packaged, to the Administrator. He shows absolutely no concern. I'll wait a few more days then prod him again. In that case, please PM me with any contact information that you may have.
Last edited by Don Gaynor; 01/02/13 06:42 PM.
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Don,
With all due respect unless you are talking about a "big dollar" budget proposal I think you may be over thinking and over selling the project as well. Again I do not know all the particulars and individuals you are dealing with at your current residence but the approach I would take is to . . .
a: How much you need to do your program (think annually)
b. Find out how much money is budgeted for your activity department
b. How much of that total budget is used for music programs
Then if the total activity director's budget is not enough, I would devise a plan to get it raised along with allocating more of that total budget for music. And keep in mind this can be done in more ways than just re-allocating funds from the property's total budget or looking for some agency, especially a government agency to provide the additional funds.
Along these lines I would suggest alternative fundraisers where the families of the clients along with the community get involved. You will be surprised at what can be achieved as a result of community partner projects like this. In fact I would be surprised if your facility is not already involved in programs such as this.
I have been part of programs like this for years and may be able to get you guys going in the right direction if you like. Just too detailed and may be boring to others to list the options here.
I'll wait until I hear back from you before.
Let me know if I can help.
Later,
Last edited by Danny C.; 01/03/13 01:10 PM.
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Danny, Quote:
a: How much you need to do your program (think annually)
b. Find out how much money is budgeted for your activity department
b. How much of that total budget is used for music programs
One of the cited YT videos was a Nursing Home Administrator who said that "The funds can be raised in one day!" Apparently, it's not worth even that much involvement to my management. Sad.
The Certification Program cost US$2,000 and that includes 15 iPod Shuffles, 25 Headphones, 15 AC Charger/Adapters, $100 in iTunes music, and training for our staff through three 90-minute Webinars.
My cries for Music Therapy have been answered by the Activities Director turning on her personal choice of music on the Dining Hall radio. Nobody seems to enjoy her choice of music so they just hibernate back in their rooms, alone to sink further into depression and away from normal quality of life.
The Administrator asked me today to name any patients who would benefit from Music Therapy and I turned it back on him to show me anyone WHO WOULD NOT BENEFIT. Still no reply.
I'm convinced that it involves medications. I reluctantly agreed to accept a multivitamin, my only "medication". Its a kid's Flintstone but, since it must be crushed in applesauce and fed to me, they bill Medicare $80 a pill. Imagine the folks on mood-altering drugs with dosages every 4 hours. How can I ever expect to fight management. It will cost them in lost revenue if they lose those Medicare charges.
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The Certification Program cost US$2,000 and that includes 15 iPod Shuffles, 25 Headphones, 15 AC Charger/Adapters, $100 in iTunes music, and training for our staff through three 90-minute Webinars.
Sad indeed, turn me loose for a couple of hours in your town and I'll raise the 2,000.00 form local businesses.
How about some of the family members not only getting involved with the fund raising but also the administering of the program to the patients? My guess is that the fund raising will be the easy part.
Later,
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I know someone who's daughter has a degree in Music Therapy. Apparently there's a real demand for this expertise since she got a number of lucrative job offers when she graduated. I believe that there are a lot of variables to consider in giving mp3 players to "patients." There is a very wide spectrum of Alzheimers symptoms which we see when we go to play. Thankfully, there are always caregivers present or we would not be able to perform. One size does not fit all. I think that it would be great if docs/techs skilled in music therapy could visit the various facilities and diagnose those who would benefit from having an mp3 player. One factor is the patient to caregiver ratio. There is a high turnover of caregivers since it's a difficult and challenging job. The patients with mp3 players would require closer supervision and monitoring. Even with lower ratios, the places here cost over $5K a month per patient. Obviously they are happy to have us there playing for free.
Stan
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Stan, the cited YT videos tend to claim the opposite is true. Patients having Music Therapy actually require LESS ATTENTION. That's one of the strong points of the project. It translates to freeing up the staff to perform oft neglected other duties which translates to better overall efficiency and a better work environment. I would expect that patients/residents would require assistance only once or twice per day and that could be combined with mealtimes.
I may be completely wrong but we won't know without trying.
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Stan,
Regarding the mp3 players, my thinking was more in the line of bringing in musical entertainment for their patients more often. You see the only “for free” musicians in my area are wonderful people who live close enough to the facility to go in and play the out-of-tune house piano once a week for an hour or so when they have the time. With the cost of gas and dry cleaning these days a musician would be nearly 50.00 out of pocket before he leaves home. Not to mention the cost of keeping your instruments and show in general current. This is in my opinion is one main reason the volunteer music acts are dwindling.
What I was proposing to Don for his property was to have his director budget around 5,000 per year for music acts. And again a good portion of these funds can come from outside the facility via fund raising events orchestrated by family members and staff. This should afford them a minimum of 1 music act per week.
For the patients who are still mobile and in control of their senses it gives them something to look forward to every week. And for the memory care patients it not only gives them an event that will help them with their memory but because of this it will help them feel it was an event that they took part in.
These places have budgets, period. Yes it is a noble deed to play for free and there are some places where I not only play for free but help with fundraisers but make no mistake about it they all have entertainment budgets, it's just how they choose to spend those budgets. As you stated they may be labeled "non-profit" but there is tons of money passing through those doors everyday.
Later,
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Danny, I'm sure that my facility budgets at least $5K per year for entertainment. One obvious advantage to iPods is: They can be loaded with the specific playlists that the patients like. Also, iPods are cheap and one-button easy. They are throw-aways.
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Don,
I see your point and like you though they my be a downside I don't see it.
With this said I would see if I could get this project going with family members, maybe start a few at a time as it is accepted. I don't think your director would be opposed to family members bringing in the I-pods for you to program.
Good Luck My Friend,
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Okay, guys and dolls, one of our forum regulars contacted me for my mailing address so he could start the ball in motion by sending me the first iPod. I am certain that others of my friends could afford to follow suit. Its roughly equivalent to a large pizza and a round of beers and way more rewarding.
This group of Band-In-A-Boxers excels in love and kindness. Please don't let me down. Its considered a breach of patient privacy rights to photograph them (they can't give legal consent) but I will give a progress report to anyone interested.
TIA
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@Danny C
We have been playing these types of gigs for around 5 years. It sounds like the situation where you are and where we are vary quite a bit. The places here have what they refer to as "activity" budgets. Activities may be for game staffing, arts and crafts, singalongs, and live entertainment. We are amateur musicians and would never think of charging for our music. As to expenses, we have very few and don't mind them. Our biggest expense is for song word packets which we pass out at the beginning of the gigs so that the audience can sing along if they choose to. Some dementia patients refuse to give the packets back so we are always having to go to Office Depot and print more. We do get many thankyous and smiles for which we are grateful. Some musicians who gig at these places are paid. How much? I don't know. Most are not paid. We are retired and are not playing in hopes of being paid. We consider what we do a form of ministry. We understand why not everyone thinks the way we do. Hope this helps in clarifying our perspective. YMMV.
Stan
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Well Don, I'm not suggesting that we should not try any and all approaches to help the patients. I'm only saying that I've seem some who would not be able to use an mp3 player and some who are constantly on the move because they are unable to sit down and relax. Each is different and that's why there are different facilities for different levels. Many facilities have different sections to try and recognize and provide for patients at different levels with different needs--including hospice care. The bottom line is that music can be a great comfort to many if not most patients. I see some of the challenges in providing it to them. Again, I say many thanks to anyone who helps in any way.
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Quote:
@Danny C
We have been playing these types of gigs for around 5 years. It sounds like the situation where you are and where we are vary quite a bit. The places here have what they refer to as "activity" budgets. Activities may be for game staffing, arts and crafts, singalongs, and live entertainment. We are amateur musicians and would never think of charging for our music. As to expenses, we have very few and don't mind them. Our biggest expense is for song word packets which we pass out at the beginning of the gigs so that the audience can sing along if they choose to. Some dementia patients refuse to give the packets back so we are always having to go to Office Depot and print more. We do get many thankyous and smiles for which we are grateful. Some musicians who gig at these places are paid. How much? I don't know. Most are not paid. We are retired and are not playing in hopes of being paid. We consider what we do a form of ministry. We understand why not everyone thinks the way we do. Hope this helps in clarifying our perspective. YMMV.
Stan
Stan,
There was no perspective clarifying required, my point was to Don being that the small amount of money needed for the project he was proposing IMHO was a drop in the bucket either for the facility or for an independent fundraiser to come up with. In no way did I intend to interfere or question what you guys are doing as besides being none of my business, I think what you are doing is a noble act.
So God Bless you for what you do and for the record I still play quite a few facilities for a smile, or to remind me that the power of my music will get a previously non-responsive foot to start tapping. 
What I was referring to were the Independent Living and Assisted's that charge their residents anywhere from 10,000 - 140,000 buy-in with apt rents starting at 3,500 plus per month. Man some of these joints have waiters falling over one another to providing service to their clients, complete with fully stocked bars for happy hours. With this said, like the others acts here I charge these cats for services rendered.
Later,
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