“How about #45?” she called out. “Great choice!” I responded. As I played the hymn for the residents, memories of piano lessons flooded my mind.
My Saturday mornings as an elementary student were spent at piano lessons where I dutifully played for my teacher, Mrs. Werkema, a church organist. She insisted that I learn the hymns because ” You never know when someone will need a pianist. Knowing the hymns will help you in many ways.”
When Virginia, an activity manager at Freedom Village, informed me that the piano had not been played for such a long time, I immediately volunteered. ” I love playing the piano!” I enthusiastically responded. At 4 PM, I wheeled my mother and guided my father to Copper Harbor, a named area where residents were waiting.
I played a variety of hymns– “Amazing Grace” “Jesus Loves Me” and many others, but my favorite moment occurred when the residents started singing. We even sang Christmas songs! One request, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” came from a little lady wearing an orange shirt who started flapping her hands at the conclusion.
As we entered the elevator to head to the dining room, my mother remarked,” It was nice that you could play”. She ate more food at dinner and seemed more alert, despite her confusing conversation.
“…[W]e lose sight of how powerful melody and rhythm can be in the realm of medicine, particularly with respect to Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers… nursing homes and hospitals are finding that working with a music therapist can make a big difference…”
– C. Gorman. Time, November 14, 2005 https://www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/MT_Alzheimers_2006.pdf
Reading about music therapy validates the importance of including music in my aging parents’ health plan. It reminds me of the importance of elementary students singing to the Lafayette nursing home residents. It definitely needs to be a part of this journey and beyond.
A Journey Worth Remembering 