Today I went to my `other` job at the Nursing Home. One very elderly demented lady has virtually given up. She lies in her bed all day shouthing at the top of her voice.

I knew she loved music as she had previously joined in with the group singalongs. So I thought she must be missing it, and wouldn`t it be nice if we could enjoy music together?

So today i took my piano accordion in to her room, and we had a lovely time singing all different sorts of songs. She was curled up in bed singing her head off, bless her! It was so lovely.

Music is better than medicine...

That is lovely, Helen! It's good to hear that people in Nursing Homes do have time to spend with the elderly, rather than being too busy to do anything other than the essentials. Bet you enjoyed the music as much as your old lady did!

Yes, I really enjoyed it. I`m employed to do activities, not personal care. It was an inspiration, playing to her... I wish I`d thought of it earlier!

A wonderful story, just helen.

There should really be music therapists working in ALL care/nursing/old people's homes. A friend of Bagpuss' is an occupational therapist working in Australia, and she sent me her newsletter detailing a lot of work done with dementia patients with Alzheimer's.

Wonderful, wonderful stuff.

I agree, Cyrilla. Music reaches out across all barriers, doesn`t it?

Like nothing else does...

How lovely for you as well as the lady Reminds me of this link my friend in Seattle sent me a while ago http://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2009/04/07/m...inic-music-fun/

I just watched it - what fun!!

A lady at a local nursing home here cannot remember a single person/event from her childhood, let alone yesterday, but can play her whole repertoire of piano music, and loves to do so.

Some things just stick for life . . .

My poor mum's been in a nursing home with increasingly severe dementia for the last two years (it's an absolutely heart-breaking sight to see such a formerly feisty woman reduced to such a terrible state). One of the only things which brings her out of herself is when she can join in with singing or such-like......

What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing it with us.

My dear dad had alzeimers and was in a nursing home for a year before he died. His neighbour in the room next to him was a retired headmaster, who also had alzeimers, but could still play his keyboard really well.

Thank you for playing to the old lady, it was a lovely idea.

OP- what you did was really lovely- it nearly made me cry. My mum has quite advanced dementia and last year I could get her to sing along with me even when I couldn't have a conversation (I'd sing the songs she taught me). It made my day better to know that there are people like you who'll go and do things with people like my mum even when you aren't related to them and probably didn't know them the way they were.

Thank you.

Dementia is an awful thing, but people with Dementia are still the same people they always were, and they are still very much loved. It's horrible to see it happen to a loved one. Love to you, Clari Nicki1 and your mum, I know what you are going through.

I lost my Mum to dementia in 2000. I used to go in and sing to all the residents in the home. I don't know if my Mum even knew it was me, but she did enjoy the music.

My mum works in a care home and has tried getting me along several times to play the piano but I've had to refuse because I'm terrified of playing in front of a load of people like that...

Beautiful story, Helen. You 'done good' every time you use your skills this way.

Fantastic, to play with such joy and laughter !!

Yes, I've saved this one and often watch it when I need cheering up

My Uncle is in a Care Home, a few months age Emsoboe went along and played Flute for the residents. The staff asked her as she's always played to him and he always sings along. I didn't know what to expect but I suspect ahe was a bit young for it to worry her. some of them looked withdrawn and in their shells. I was amazed at the transformation in them as soon as she started playing. The sang their hearts out. It was very touching.

Solari don't be worried about going along and playing the residents will love it and you will get a lot from it. As someone else said they are still people and can relate to things most unexpectedly to those who don't understand the complexities of their suffering.