Singing Heart to Heart

guest article by Donna K. Woodward, CNA

Being a new CNA is challenging. Yes, in training I learned how to make a hospital bed with a mannequin in it. To wash my hands according to procedure. To transfer fellow…

Has family caregiving changed your life? 

Caring for a loved one, no matter the reason – be it dementia or another health concern - can be all consuming and impact relationships deeply. Family dynamics often evolve.  Sometimes people find…

 Have you ever thought: 

"I want to do music but I'm not a music therapist or a musician." 

Maybe you’re a music lover but don’t feel comfortable as a music leader. Maybe you are comfortable singing…but maybe you’re…

Am I a bad daughter?  

My friend Melissa asks this question often.  

Frankly, her mom is…well…difficult. And Melissa is often left wondering if she could “do better” so her mom wouldn’t be so…let’s just say, challenging.  

Do…

It was the Thursday before Easter Sunday and I was with friends. My friends are the residents of Traverse Manor where I have been singing every week for over 5 years. Most are in their 80s and 90s with a…

Do you ever get a little bored singing the same old songs? Come on, you can admit it. But we do it anyway don’t we? We do it because we know that for people living with dementia, there is comfort…

Helen is intuitive, creative, caring, and smart. She’s the Life Enrichment Coordinator for a cluster of small memory care homes where she has just been given a beginning budget to implement a comprehensive music program. She and I begin talking…

Margie’s gruff and gravely voice called out from her favorite corner where she carefully perched on the seat of her walker. Stooped and bent over, her arthritic hands were no longer able to hold the songbook she knew so well…

When I was 12 years old my mother wouldn’t let me to go to the junior high dances. She insisted that I wait until I was 13. Trust me, the months dragged on that year in seventh grade until my…

Were you fortunate enough to have a wonderful mother? I was. My mom and I were best friends. We had voices that matched perfectly and she taught me to sing. She and my dad loved to dance. Sadly, she passed…

Back in 1953 Harold Mertz was trying to sell magazines. 

He had salespeople going door to door. But it wasn’t very efficient. So Harold came up with the idea of mailing subscription offers to everyone. For the price of…

Jeanne from Vermont plays uke in a memory care residence. She suggested: Oh My Darling Clementine and the Battle Hymn of the Republic 
  
Cathy is an activity coordinator from North Ayrshire, Scotland. She added: My Bonnie Lies Over the…