If you are a caregiver for the elderly in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or even an in-home caregiver for the elderly, you know that music is special in their lives. Seniors enjoy a good tune and can appreciate an uplifting beat to help them get out of a rut and put a smile on their face, if for no other reason then they feel happy. That’s why singing group songs for seniors is such a fun time.
The elderly enjoy the memories that come to them with some of the music they know best from their past. The kind of music they enjoy the most is harder to find. And there are fewer people who can relate to them.
Older people love to sing in a group. The group together can appreciate the old tunes they know and love. They can share memories with each other about the songs. Something special happens when a group sings together. It’s a bit more energized than just listening to it alone. If you’ve organized a group of seniors, then you know what I mean. Even seniors at home enjoy going out with others to enjoy music and group singing.
What are the best songs to sing in a group for seniors?
It’s not so easy to find them anymore, but they are out there. You can get old music on CDs, but DVDs are a bit harder to find. Even VHS is getting harder to locate. Most songs that older people know are good for group singing, but depending on your audience, louder, faster-paced music might not be suitable. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can make it difficult for some older people to enjoy louder, faster-paced songs, so keep this in mind when selecting your music.
Period music is good. This can help bring back fond memories of family, childhood, and past milestones in their lives. Love songs are always a good bet, and there is also ethnic music. Melodies with a German or Scottish flavor, for example, can really bring joy to the elderly who grew up in these homelands. Ask the older people in your care what kind of music they like and offer it to them. However, not everyone in a group will know all the ethnic songs.
Where do you find them?
The songs provided on DVD can offer something to watch as the musicians or other singers sing. You can find many of the old classics that older people know and love on DVDs from Melodic Memories. In addition to the classics, they also have Christmas songs and traditional gospel.
Give the gift of music to your seniors with a planned fun time of music and song. With group songs for seniors, not only seniors will have fun, but you will too!