Hans Christian Anderson said, “Where words fail, music speaks.” This has been seen in the lives of elderly patients as they come alive by the memories conjured by old melodies. As people age, their minds and souls continue to grow and become trapped in failing bodies.

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Music can help improve the quality of life of elderly people limited in their daily activities. Between their home health care and struggles to do daily tasks older people who are stuck in their homes have lost much of their joy to live. Music can help them regain that passion for life. Here are a few ideas for incorporating more music into your loved one’s life. You can even incorporate these ideas into a plan with top home care agency in Philadelphia.

MP3 Player

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It won’t take you long to load 100 of your loved one’s favorite songs on to an MP3 player or another music device, but it will afford them hours upon hours of enjoyment. Whether it is big band music from the early 1900s or 80’s hair bands, it shouldn’t take too long to find the music that speaks to their soul. If you have a little bit of time to devote to the project you could even make a list of their favorite songs to put on their music device.

Play an Instrument

If your loved one used to play an instrument, even if it was back in their 20’s, don’t be afraid to pull out the case, dust it off and play a few notes. It may surprise you how quickly they remember how to play. If they’re willing you could sign them up for lessons so they can continue increasing their talent.

By encouraging them to play you are helping them to have another hobby that they can invest themselves in and feel like they are progressing instead of just sitting around the house. If they are confident enough you could even do a mini-recital with them so they can show their friends and family the progress they are making.

Concert

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If you hear that a concert is coming to town that they might enjoy then get tickets and take your loved one. A sit-down concert is a great way for them to get out of the house and enjoy something they love.

Music While Exercising

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If your loved one has an exercise routine that they do each day, even if it is just walking around the house, try playing some of their favorite upbeat songs from when they were younger. The music may help them to keep better balance as they focus on something else while walking. It could also help them to remember days gone by so be prepared to listen to some riveting stories from before you were born. Some senior living community facilities implement this practice into their daily routines to help facilitate memory support.

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You will be surprised at how alive the music makes your elderly loved one feel and act. They will have stories to tell and melodies to hum along with as they enjoy a blast from their past.

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5 Changes to Make When Summer Turns to Fall

Of course, you want to gather together for a day of fun, but it’s not always easy to plan out and decide what kind of activities to include. If your harvest celebration needs a boost or just something new to get any returning guests excited, you’re sure to find something in these categories that’s perfect!

Food

There’s no better place to start than food, and it brings people together more than anything else. It can also potentially be the most expensive part of your celebration, so it’s definitely a time to invite those attending to bring something to contribute.

Your main meal should consist of good hot food that even the kids will eat. Things like potatoes, corn, and rolls will fit into your theme and everyone’s bellies with few complaints. You can go easy with hamburgers and hotdogs as your main portion or have some fun with barbecuing, too.

Don’t forget the snacks and sweets that everyone will be coming back through the line for all night long. Pie is a classic must have, but sneak in some cookies, brownies, and other neighborhood favorites so there’s something for everyone.

Contests & Prizes

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Depending on the length of your celebration, it’s a good idea to plan a few activities where your guests can get involved and bring out their competitive spirit. These can be spread out throughout the event or ongoing contests like those you would find at a carnival.

Also, keep in mind the age span you’re entertaining and what restrictions need to be put on certain games. A shooting contest may be exciting for everyone to watch, but you want to be clear about how old you have to be to participate, as well as designating spaces only competitors can enter.

But there are still plenty of fun games to choose from that everyone can take part in. Host a baking or an eating contest, set up relay races that incorporate silly items like blindfolds and pumpkins, plan a scavenger hunt, or invite everyone to dress up in costume for the chance of winning a special prize.

Crafts

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Plenty of your guests will love to watch these games going on, but they might prefer to keep it to that, so a few non-competitive activities will be a necessary complement to any contests. These craft areas will be especially attractive for any young children in attendance.

If this is something you’re really excited about, you can get creative with craft supplies like feathers, glue, and popsicle sticks for children to piece together in festive decorations they can take home. Looking for something a little more low-key? It’s easy to print out themed coloring pages from the internet and grab a few boxes of crayons and colored pencils.

You may want to do something a little more out of the ordinary, too, so hiring someone to paint faces next to your space for painting and carving pumpkins would be a fun addition that keeps the kids from making too much of a mess.

Entertainment

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With so many interactive activities to choose from, you may be feeling overwhelmed, but don’t worry. You can pick a few of your favorites and fill the bulk of your event with some classic entertainment.

Designate an area for music and dancing. You can hire a local music act or pull out the speakers and make your own playlist. Guests can get a breather with intermittent performances spotlighting their talents of singing, acting, or reciting poetry.

It’s also a great time to let people just talk amongst themselves admiring your harvest, discussing your new dome storage from https://www.dometechnology.com/applications/wheat-storage/, and catching up on one another’s families. It really doesn’t have to be overdone, but a few well-placed activities can make your harvest festival that much more memorable.

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