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Whatever your instrument, genre, style, age, or talent,
people in nursing homes who would love to hear you play.
We'll help you do it.
During COVID, my middle daughter and I started playing a couple shakey songs in memory care units in honor of my late mother. Two surprising things happened.
1. We improved as musicians and especially as entertainers.
2. We learned connecting with them was more important than playing perfect.
Since then, a number of musicians have asked us how to start:
• How to create a set-list and contact the nursing homes.
• What equipment to bring and what to say to residents.
• What to expect and how to make it a win-win experience for everyone.
We summarize what we tell them in the video below:
1. We improved as musicians and especially as entertainers.
2. We learned connecting with them was more important than playing perfect.
Since then, a number of musicians have asked us how to start:
• How to create a set-list and contact the nursing homes.
• What equipment to bring and what to say to residents.
• What to expect and how to make it a win-win experience for everyone.
We summarize what we tell them in the video below:
Some Frequently Asked Questions
1. "Why should I?" You'll get better, and you'll have more fun than usual.
You'll become a more confident and charismatic entertainer, and you'll have some of your most meaningful shows. Most musicians are smiling the whole way home.
You'll become a more confident and charismatic entertainer, and you'll have some of your most meaningful shows. Most musicians are smiling the whole way home.
2. "How long should I play?" Play 45-60 minutes. About 15 songs.
3. "What should I play?" Almost anything. If you have fun playing it, they'll have fun. They particularly like standards, Sinatra, big band, classic country, folk songs, show tunes, early 1960s rock, Elvis, and patriotic music.
Here's an example of a popular recent show with a wide variety of music.
4. "What equipment do I take?" For small rooms, just your instrument.
For bigger rooms, a small PA speaker, and a mic (both which they might have).
5. "Can I use backing tracks or Karaoke tracks?" Absolutely! Many vocalists and instrumental musicians find it easier to play with a backing track.
If it's a small room, and you're just getting started, you can use your phone and play these tracks directly off of YouTube and through a small Bluetooth karaoke speaker. Eventually, you could download tracks onto a laptop and play them through an inexpensive all-in-one PA system.
6. "Is it depressing?" No. Mostly joyful; occassionally poignant.
You're bringing happiness to people who are going through tough years. Your impact is visibly immediate. You'll leave feeling grateful and inspired.
7. "How do I contact them?" Google "memory care" or "assisted living," go there, and introduce yourself to the Activities Director in person. Meeting them in person works 30-50% of the time. Email and phone calls don't work as well.
Bring a 1-page "leave behind" that describes you, your songs, and your contact info (see video above at 15:02 for examples).
8. "Will I get paid?" Some musicians do; some volunteer. Some places have budgets for seasoned entertainers ($100-300). In contrast, many non-profit memory care units rely on volunteer musicians. They often will jump on a volunteer musician if you show up in person.
Here's a 12-minute video of a seasoned rock band singer who plays out three to four nights a week and then volunteers to play in nursing homes during the day.
9. "What if I totally bomb?" You won't. Especially if you follow the advice on this website.
If your heart's in the right place and you're playing there to make them happier, everything will work out. And your next show will be even better.
Our hope is that you find it a rewarding win-win experience. We hope it helps you continue to sharpen your entertainment chops while you also play for people who wouldn't otherwise have you to look forward to.
Let us know if we can help you, help them.
Let us know if we can help you, help them.
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OUTSIDE RESOURCES
Here are some great groups with a related focus:
• Special Audiences & Musicians (SAM) Local concert presentations in NYC.
• Jazz Foundation of America -- Professional jazz/blues shows in care facilities
• National Association of Therapeutic Musicians (NATM) -- Certified therapeutic practitioners in healthcare
• Play It for Seniors is a marketplace for paid entertainers
• Creative Aging, Music & Memory, etc. have a credible, academic healthcare focus
Some of these groups will match you up with places to perform, especially if you live in a big city. Play it Forward encourages you to also play whatever and wherever you want.
We'll show you how to find these places and how to put on a great show whether it be at every place in your neighborhood or whether it be the one place a parent is at.
