What are ways our older adults living with dementia staying strong physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally? We are keeping our heart, mind, body and spirit strong with RHYTHMIC engaging, empowering and energizing music therapy sessions. It was an honor to have Megan (Music Therapy practicum student) be a contributing and active part of this special spiritual session.
We began our session with a deep breathing wellness exercise to allow more oxygen to get to our brain and to calm our heart rate. Then we shook it up with Shaker Bloxes made by Interactive Rhythm to a lively welcome song while creatively moving to “This Little Light of Mine.” We moved, grooved, shook, stomped, stacked and tapped our Shaker Bloxes in various rhythm, tempo and emphasizing stopping together.
Then we discussed ways of keeping our bodies, minds and spirit STRONG by introducing the large Black Bahia Base Buffalo Drum. We started by playing a steady heart beat rhythm on the Buffalo Drum while the seniors found their heart beat. Each senior tapped their name and one word to describe themselves on the Buffalo Drum. We discovered everyone tapped the Buffalo Drum to their own rhythm!
Then we discussed how our bodies are towers of strength and played Christine Stevens’ “Tower of Strength Within and Out” song as the senior champions added their rhythmic movement with the Shaker Bloxes. We had a insightful and spirit filled discussed our interpretation of the lyrics by sharing God our Savior is our Tower of Faith and we are living his presence within us. To close this emotional activity, the senior champions chose to build a wide, firm and solid tower faith with the shaker bloxes.
We then distributed cards with a word starting with a letter “E” that described the benefits of Rhythm. The senior champions shared very thought provoking and creative comments on how rhythm
makes us strong.
Then Suzuki tone chimes were introduced and the senior champions played the songs “Rock of Ages” and “God Bless America.” We closed by singing the songs and conducting a Wellness exercise. Reflective comments included: “energized, healthy, well, blessed, so awesome, vivacious, healthy, so appreciative and grateful, Becky, your smile and your passion are a true reflection of what God has intended you to do … we love you so much and how you make us feel each time.”
