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Almost ever since we got our home karaoke machine my wife and I have talked about going to a nearby retirement home to lead a karaoke sing-along.  We finally did something about it and did it two days ago.  I thought it would make a good story and some of you might be interested in doing something similar.

We called the place (it's in a town about 25 miles north; my grandfather is a resident which is why we called there instead of some other place) on Monday and talked to the activities director, Doug.  He was very enthusiastic that someone volunteered to do something and we set it up for Friday afternoon for an hour.

For equipment, we had a home-use Singing Machine with one microphone and about 170 CDGs with one homemade songbook.  I told Doug we'd need to hook up to something bigger or no one would be able to hear or see anything.  He said he could hook us up to a big screen TV in one of the lounges.  I asked him what kind of music he thought would go over with the residents.  He said anything in the 30s or 40s.  I said I really had nothing like that.  He said probably some 50s doo-wop stuff would be good, or of course any of the typical standards.  I said I think we can get by.  Before we went, I went though my songbook and made a list of about 20 or 25 songs that I thought the old folks would like in case nobody made any suggestions.

When we got there Doug had already set the room up in a nice configuration and there were about 20 residents ready to participate, including my grandpa.  Doug plugged our machine into the TV and we were ready to go in about five or ten minutes.  Before we started the music I got on the mic and told the audience that we hadn't done this before but we were just going to start singing songs and everybody could either sing along, or just listen, or make requests, or come up and sing one themselves, or whatever they wanted to do.

I sang two songs, then my wife sang one.  By that time word had gotten around that we were there and more people showed up, including what seemed like most of the staff at the home.  Requests to sing started coming in pretty fast.  Doug was able to locate a wireless microphone and speaker which was a big help because the mic could then be passed around the audience (the residents liked to sing along but standing up and going to the front was too much for many of them).  The staff was keeping me really busy with song requests.  I had intended to sing standards and slower stuff because I figured the audience would like that best, but the staff wanted to sing rock & roll.  One guy even did Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell," and was pretty good!  The residents sang along to everything, even trying to keep up with songs they obviously didn't know.  With the wireless mic the residents could volunteer to sing without having to get up out of their seats.

The show lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes.  Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves (I don't think the crowd emptied out at all until the last song or two) and Doug said he'd love to have us come and do it once a month or so.  We might.  If any of you are looking for a way to share your love of karaoke, and do something nice for others at the same time, this might be something to try.  It certainly gave us a warm fuzzy feeling, and it was a lot of fun too.

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Reward: nine yen in drawer.

Tom,
 I just wanted to let you know that I think that was a marvelous thing you and your wife did.  I worked in a nursing home for years and you would be surprised what the residents enjoy doing.   It's so sweet that you volunteered some of your time for this.  I know it brought joy to many that day and I'm sure they are looking forward to you coming back.   God Bless You!

Rita

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SAY IT WITH MUSIC!!!!

wow! that's a cool idea! My mom works at a nursing home too... I love visiting the residents there... and THEY LOVE to have company... oh my gosh do they EVER. This particular home is a hospital-type home... the residents all have some sort of diseases... or handicap.... a lot of their families basically ignore them for the rest of their lives... never visit or phone. The only time you'll see their families is if the resident dies. Then they come to collect. It's really really sad.

I once went there to get a flu shot (I get them for free there cuz my mom's a nurse) and it happened to be Halloween... and I was dressed up cuz I was going to work right afterward... well, I was dressed up as a girl from the 50's with the poodle skirt and saddle shoes... The residents LOVED it! It was so funny! The little old ladies admiring my shoes! HAHA! and sayin "I remember wearing those"

anyways... I'm babbling.... but I think that was a fantastic idea, Tom! Good for you! When I was younger, I had piano recitle at another nursing home and they loved it, so I can just imagine how much fun it would be for THEM to be the performers!

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Hi Tom, One day we will all grow old. Doing what you were doing; bringing joy to those sr. citizen is a duty that few see as thier. Glad to hear that on the process you too enjoy the outing, while giving joys to others.
Who knows one day you may end up a KJ.

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

I was at an old folks home this week too.  Mostly they just like me to stick on a singalong disc, and they all join in from their seats, but there were one or two that wanted to sing on the mic as well.

I roamed around getting one here or there to sing a line or two into the mic as the songs were on, and some of them got up to dance as well.

Loved it

If you continue to do those shows, you may want to consider the Sound Choice Reminiscing series.  Music from primarily the 30's-50's.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Thanks Lonman; I was thinking of getting something like that.

Though unrelated to my story above, the comments about nursing homes (strictly speaking, the place we sang at was a retirement home rather than a nursing home, but never mind) reminded me of a story about my paternal grandmother.  She was in a nursing home with Alzheimer's Disease for several years before she died.  As the disease progressed she recognized fewer and fewer people until she no longer even knew her own family.  Interestingly, something she didn't forget how to do until the very end was how to sing.  My father said he usually played the piano for her when he visited because singing was about all she could do.  Interestingly, one day my great aunt (my grandmother's sister) was visiting my grandmother and when my grandmother sang it brought tears to her eyes.  My father asked why she was crying and my great aunt said that my grandmother was singing a song they both used to sing as children that she had completely forgotten about.  My grandmother no longer recognized her sister, but remembered every word of the song.

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Reward: nine yen in drawer.

Entertaining or Hosting at a Retirement Home or Assisted Living Facility is a viable venue for many KJ's or Singers.  Not to say that volunteering to do this isn't a GREAT thing to do but I know a few KJ's (including myself 2 years ago) That was contacted by the facility to host a karaoke night.  Many of this places as you know charge MEGA BUCKS for people to stay there and have very large entertainment budgets.  When I sang and hosted the show it was a great experiance as these people really appreciate the music and entertainment.  They were singing and swaying and clapping. It was a great time.  I felt good and put a few bucks in my pocket at the same time.  I might have to look into doing that again.

There are CDGS out there made primarily for  the OLDER generation where the keys of the songs have already been adjusted a few steps down for ease of singing.

I also do a show for free once a month for the past 6 months at a nursing home.
It's allways on a monday from 2:30 to 4:30pm.

I just did my June show there this past monday and when I showed up they were all waiting for me in the lobby in their wheelchairs yelling out my name.

I was intending on letting the staff know that I wasnt going to be coming back next month but after I dried the tears from my eyes from the recption I got I scrapped that idea.  these people dont remember what day it is but they ask everyday if MrOctober is comming today.

I do Frank Sintara in my Suit and hat, Dean martin, Neil Diamond and some old 50's and 60's. I have some that roll up and sing on my back up mic.
I dont have the heart to stop what Ive started now. so Im in for the long haul now.  every time I do it I feel like no one else can make me feel.

If you really Believe in Karma try this out it's a Trip.

good things happen.

Michael

Well.......Mr. October.......I have really gained a lot of respect and admiration for you after reading that post!  Good for you!!!  Sometimes we forget our older people and it's so nice to hear that you volunteer some of your time for them.  I knew you had to be a sweetie!

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SAY IT WITH MUSIC!!!!

I'm with Rita, Michael...

You're a big ole doll, aren't ya?

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Hi there, Lady Di here.  Every year we have the Canada Day celebrations on July 1st (and our American friends celebrate July 4th !).  Many of our seniors can't get out to party with the rest of us, no family, friends or disabled in some way..... so myself and some singing buddies take it to them.  We get flags, a cake, the works and they just love it.  I think about an hour is enough for most of them. We choose our songs carefully, as I don't know many seniors (actually none) who like Rock music and the like, but I do finf the musical/Broadway numbers plus the old country favourites go down a treat.  Many of these people fought for their country, so that we can have the freedom and quality of life we all have today.  I think more people should do it.  Congrats to you guys already there.  Maybe we should share some pictures after this years celebrations !!!!

Luv Di xxx