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My real goal is to stimulate these people mentally and increase their interaction with each other - even when I leave. Perhaps I could help them start a 'music night' of their own once a week.





...ok Mac, you caught me - this is something I would like to do. But aren't the things you're most personally interested and enthusiastic about the things that you can best infect others with in terms of enthusiasm ? But I do think the nursing home folks would enjoy this type of thing. Music appeals to most, and brings back lots of - hopefully mostly good, memories - compliments of the amygdala. Sure - it's fun to do this type of thing with younger people, or people my age, because they are familiar with 'trendier' songs, or songs from my era. They also tend to be more energetic, and at times more attractive to watch dance ; ) ...but the older folks are fun and interesting in a different way (because of that wit and experience you referred to) : )

Depending on what parts of the brain are still going strong, people unable to take care of themselves might actually be extremely proficient in talking history, science, TV shows - lots of interesting things. I have been exposed to this population when my aunt was in a nursing home, and in doing my Occupational Therapy fieldworks. So I'm speaking from some experience.