While playing at a nursing home today, about 50 folks, I was reminded of some of the challenges of playing at a home.

A woman with dementia was wheeled to within 5 feet in front of me. Throughout the performance, she was extremely loud asking for such things as wanting me to play Christmas songs for all the children(remember this is a nursing home) present...and got pretty belligerent at times.

Residents around her were trying to calm her down and it was pretty obvious the ones that wanted to listen were getting irritated.

I didn't get too concerned myself and tried to play some songs she wanted to hear while still maintaining a program that all could enjoy. I've been around adults with dementia and I teach half days in a high school designed for students with emotional and behavioral problems.

I've encountered seniors with dementia before, but none as loud, aggressive and close to me while performing, as this person was.

Today was a bit of a challenge.



ps, I know the title should read: Playing for folks with dementia. I haven't a clue how to correct the title once it's posted

There are several stages of Alzheimer's dementia, the final states being somewhat violent. Under the circumstances you described, I would have asked the AD to remove her from the room. They usually comply with your wishes.

Good luck,

Gary

Good info Gary.

This AD usually schedules me when she isn't present.

I've raised my prices but this AD still wants me to book the rest of the year....not sure I'll do that.

Rog L

Rog, hit her with a high number, hand her a contract, and NEVER - NEVER perform without a staff member in the room. If something happens, regardless of the circumstances, you could be held liable and end up in court at the wrong end of a law suit. I've had people take nose dives out of their wheel chairs and slam their head on a concrete floor, folks just fall out of regular chairs, people get up and try to dance and loose their balance, you name it - it can easily happen. There have been times when the AD is in the back of the room texting on her damned I-phone and paying absolutely no attention to what is taking place in the room and I have to stop the music to call his or her attention to a problem that could have ended in disaster. I've stopped the music when a mental patient walks up to the keyboard and tries to bang on the keys with their fist.

Some of the locations I performed required me to carry a $1-million liability policy, which can be quite expensive, though you can write if off on your schedule C as part of the cost of doing business. In some instances, I understand you can get the liability policy as an add on with your home owner's insurance, though. I dropped mine in August when I got sick.

All the best,

Gary

Recently I was doing a Memory Care facility.
The lone aid assigned to the room left to assist someone to the bathroom.
Then two of the residents became "wanderers".
One was going through every cabinet and drawer in the room.
The other crawled on the floor expressing an interest to the feet on my KB stand and Mic stand.
These folks did not respond to any of my requests to sit down and enjoy the music.
It was a small room and I walked out into the hall and gave a loud whistle which got the
attention of several ppl at a nursing station about 50 feet away.
An aid came and took control of the wanderers...and I admired the gentle way they handled the matter.
I finished the show and had a heart-to-heart with one of the managers...and told them: No aids. No music.

I have been turning down Memory Care jobs for several years...but took this one to fill in for a friend.

Eddie

Exactly no aids no music period. Don't even get me started with stories there's not enough space here to write

Thanks for the responses guys.

There was an aide in this case...she just didn't move her. She wasn't moving around...just sitting...loud and obnoxious. Perhaps I shouldn't have used the word aggressive. She was aggressive vocally...enough to cause the other residents problems.

You have about 8 hours after posting to Edit the Title and the post. Just click on the Edit button on your post.

Tx Nigel

I’ve recently started playing once a month at a day program for folks with the early stages of dementia. It’s been a delightful experience. There’s about 15 in attendance, with remarkable communication skills. One fellow always wants a boogie woogie. 3 staff people and 2 regular volunteers in the room, as well. I look forward to each engagement.

I am at an Alzheimers facility 365 days a year every morning..I.m an expert on this topic ..stage 7a thru g is past the behavorial agitation stage leaving terminal agitation left..it is NOT a violent stage when crisis Hospice intervenes.

Alan Russell

Allan.......what is the difference between dementia, Parkinson's. Alzheimer's, etc?

One of my biggest challenges in playing the senior places is....do I "talk" or NOT "talk?" How does one know how much they understand?

That's another way of saying......should I just play music or talk to them about the songs, orchestra leaders/vocalists from way back when, etc

M

Gary.....I thought that needed repeating AND the following:



That's more irritating than no aides being in the room with you. I'm thinking now of this place I play every month. Three "assistants" and every one on their smart phone. A few weeks back one of the patients got so carried away she came at me like she was "defense" and I was "offense" and......get the quarterback at all costs. I was standing, playing a 27 pound accordion, so I didn't have much of my own defense. And, I'm guessing just like you said.....if anyone got hurt, yours truly would probably be in a Civil suit right now!

M

Dimentia is normal aging..memory loss..very slow neuro transmitter decline.

Alzheimers..major neuro transmitter decline progressing at a declining rate in 7 stages.

Parkinsons...lewie body damage effecting motor skills speech etc .also a declining illness.

Alan Russell

A word of advice..ALWAYS have a few nurses or aids present
IN THE ROOM when performing for Dementia residents...I've had to many mishaps and close calls...be careful out there.