Senior Education Hits a High Note in a Bronx, NY Nursing Home

Posted by Dr. El - February 15, 2012 - Inspiration, Resident education/Support groups, Something Good About Nursing Homes - 11 Comments

I always enjoy reading about senior recreation programs that offer options way beyond bingo.  Not that there’s anything wrong with bingo, but when it’s my turn, I’ll be looking for a nursing home with a substantial activities schedule.  A reader — thanks, RR —  informed me of the success of the college-level psychology courses he organizes at his assisted living facility.  (When it’s my turn, maybe I’ll teach one of those…)  The New York Times article excerpted below describes a collaboration between Carnegie Hall musicians and Beth Abraham nursing home that gave residents the experience of a lifetime.

If you’ve heard of an interesting or unusual program for seniors, especially those in the nursing home, please share it in the Comments section.

Weakened by Age and Illness, Hands Teem With Creativity

By SUZANNE DeCHILLO/The New York Times
Published: February 12, 2012

Through the Musical Connections program, residents at Beth Abraham Health Services like Richard Ivory were given the opportunity to collaborate with musicians from Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute in creating and performing original pieces.
Ms. Previte, 72, who is chronically ill, writes lyrics. She scribbles the words on the back of nursing home menus, mostly songs about love lost or love found.

For two weeks, she joined six other residents at Beth Abraham Health Services in a collaboration with seven chamber music players from Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, whose Musical Connections program aims to bring music to a wider audience, in healthcare settings, prisons, homeless shelters and senior service organizations.

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