This week, once again, I was privileged to witness the power of music in action.
I was working with an elderly lady who spends a lot of time in her room, sleeping while the tv is on. We have been working together for a few weeks and she has been extremely lethargic and sleepy. This week I brought a variety of music from the 40’s and 50’s. I put CDs on and as we listened my client began to transform.
Slowly at first her eyes would open, she would look at me and smile. Then she began to sing, quite loudly I might add, and smile away. As the music continued and we talked about each tune, her memories of it, etc. she began to “dance” in her chair. She swayed and moved and smiled and sang. She shared how much she loved to dance, the fox trot is her favorite, and how she wishes she could still get out on the floor.
We spent our time together on the moderated dance floor of her recliner. We laughed, we reminisced, and we danced. By the end of the session I asked her how she was feeling, was she still tired? “Oh no” was her reply. In fact she was so full of energy that she didn’t want me to go and I left her listening to the music as I went to work with other residents.
It was a wonderful transformation to witness and to be a small part of. We were together in the mid-morning, shortly before lunch. I can only imagine how her appetite must have been for lunch that day!
