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Are You Drumming Up Patriotism With Older Adults?

By Kat Fulton on July 2, 2012 in Drumming, Older Adults

[I'm still in the Kat-Cave, working on a huge project. Several video CMTEs will be released on July 17, but you won't know unless you enter your name and email over here. I just published a NEW video TODAY that takes you inside an iPad video CMTE course. Go check it out.] =)

Today’s cat-in-a-cave comes from Sok Hwee Tay. Meet “Snowy” from Augusta, GA! Thanks Sok!

“Snowy” from Augusta, GA

For the past two weeks, I’ve been drumming up patriotism with my older adult clients. It’s really, truly one of my favorite times of year for work. Here’s why I love working with older adults. The WWII generation is incredibly patriotic. These 3 experiences seem to especially touch my clients, set the stage for reminiscence, provide opportunities for group socialization and bonding, enhance quality of life, and reduce agitation:

Use Over There as a drumming call-and-response.The facilitator sings three, the group plays three, back and forth. You can warm up the group first by doing simple call-and-response drum hits. For instance, BOOM BOOM cha cha cha (group repeats), BOOM bah DOOM bah (group repeats), BOOM bah da da da BOOM (group repeats), [rest, 2, 3] O-VER THERE (group repeats).

Do you feel the anticipation right before singing Over There? It serves as a surprise AND huge musical gratification for the song entrance.

Talk about the flag. I give the BIG drum to ONE person at a time. I ask for anyone who was in the service to supply us with the drum beat.I pass around red, white, and blue scarves.Then I start a conversation in rhythm while waving the “flags” around: “What do they call the flag?” Old Glory! Stars and Stripes! Red, White, and Blue! Then I say, let’s hear it for the US flag: “You’re a grand ol’ flag, you’re a high-flying flag…”

We pass around the ONE big drum to those who served in the military, and sing each military hymn according to the player.

Use Glory Glory Hallelujah for reflective drumming.I use this for Memorial Day, too. First I mention the gratitude I feel for those who have served to protect our freedom. Then I ask a question: “Would anyone like to mention a loved one who has served to protect our freedom?” We go around the circle, and dedicate Glory Glory to those loved ones.

It’s a wonderful drumming song because it’s solid, slow, and stately. You can end with humming or continue drumming until the group lets the rhythm fade away naturally.

Do you use anything special for the 4th of July with your clients?

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Get More Energy With This Simple Tip

By Kat Fulton on May 7, 2012 in Music & Wellness, Older Adults

Do you ever feel the midday-3 o’clock exhaustion kick in? Usually that’s too late for me to get a coffee without having the jitters all night. But still by midday, I have people to see, things to do, and adventures to experience before the day is over.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a belly dancing show that started at midnight! I was exhausted the next day, but here’s how I regained my energy… thanks to my client for showing me how.

I lost myself in something bigger than myself. Click play to hear my story:

Click to tweet the quote!

I learn so much from my clients about life, love, death, money, relationships, family, and you name it. I have so much gratitude for spending time with the people who I respect so much.

By the way, this morning I just read Rachelle Norman’s post on what to do when your client says “I just want to die.” I hear this at least once a year, and it really helps to see what others do! Check her post here. I think it would be helpful no matter the age of people you serve.

Back to the question:

When was the last time you lost yourself to something bigger than yourself?

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May the luck o the Irish be with you.

By Kat Fulton on March 5, 2012 in Older Adults

Here’s a sweet addition to your drum circle experiences: The Irish Penny Whistle.

I’ve had that little beauty for a few years, and I’m so glad that I was able to find fifteen hundred pennies to get it. (It used to cost just one penny, back in the day.)

Click play to hear a couple of ditties for St. Patrick’s Day:

The ditties included in the video above are Alive, Alive Oh and Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms, both of which are included in the songbook that comes with the whistle.

How are you going to bring the spirit of the Irish into your life and work this year?

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Do YOU ever drum with older adults?

By Kat Fulton on January 30, 2012 in Drumming, Older Adults

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Happy Music Makin Monday! I received an awesome question from Scott in Portland for this week’s video. He is in a rhythm-based communication class! How cool is that? I mention my friends over at Marylhurst University, the upcoming Health Rhythms training, and I play two fun little rhythms at the end for drumming with older adults.

Click play to get the goods:

Click to tweet: Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease. ~Hippocrates

Check out my friend Megan Resig who works at Marylhurst University in Portland here.

Whew – That’s a lot to chew on! Now, I’d be stoked if you could help Scott by sharing YOUR input in a comment below. Do you have answers to his question? What are your ideas on drumming with older adults?

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7 music strategies for people living with late-stage dementia

By Kat Fulton on December 6, 2011 in Older Adults

Last year for the holidays, I wrote about 4 Rhythma-tastic Holiday Goodies for Facilitating. Check the bottom of that post for additional holiday tips from other music therapists!

Those tips are awesome to use with all sorts and types of clients. But when I wrote it, I had residents in independent living in mind. You can certainly adapt and modify the tips according to the needs of your own clients.

Today however, I would like to address spending the holidays with people who are in mid-late stages Alzheimers/dementia. The topic of engaging with those in late stage dementia came up a lot at the American Music Therapy Association conference. (By the way, did you know that you can win a free membership in AMTA by Dec 20?)

I’m listing 7 awesome strategies to make music with those in late stage dementia. Of course completing a proper assessment and treatment plan are a must! Also, make sure to consult with a board-certified music therapist in your area. You can find them all listed here.

And these are great tools, but most importantly, speak, interact, touch, dance, and sing with your clients in late stage dementia regularly. That’s what matters…. the relationship and environment that YOU help to create.

Don’t forget to include the family in the assessment. They will have some great insight for you as you design the treatment plan.

I also adopt the philosophy of “Less talking, More experiencing” when working with people who have Alzheimer’s. Words may get in the way. However, I use words to speak clearly in preparing my client for what’s to come. For instance “Betty, these are bells. May I have your hand?”

These strategies have a very quick learning curve, so dig in!

1. Hand-over-hand drum sliding. Animal skin feels so nice if you have an authentic drum. But also rubbing someone’s hand over a synthetic drum head creates a calming ocean-rain sound. Perfect song: Silent Night

2. Hand-over-hand drum-tum-tumming. You must be gentle to avoid bruising. Even just guiding the fingers tips in tapping the drum. Perfect song: Winter Wonderland

3. Hand-over-hand drumming with a mallet. Sometimes drumming becomes easier when mallets are used. Watch my review of the adaptive mallet cuff. If your client needs assistance with grasp, then the mallet cuff is right up your alley. Perfect song: 12 Days Of Christmas (with 12 drummers drumming) or Little Drummer Boy

4. Velcro-strap jingle bells. Another type of assistive instrument. I especially like these because they have a nice round sound, and they are the perfect weight. You can velcro these to wrists and ankles, then do some hand-over-hand Rockin Around the Christmas Tree!

5. Ocean drum. This drum provides a great tactile experience. You can place it in a lap, or share it so there are four hands holding it. Sway it back and forth. Swirl it round and round. Perfect song: Do You Hear What I Hear (Change the lyrics according to the in-the-moment experience.)

6. Cabasa. Tactile, tactile, tactile. Roll it to the beat. Roll it for ambient sound. Make sure to prepare your client by saying “I’m going to roll this cabasa up and down your arm.” Start with a gentle touch. Perfect song: Festival of Lights for Hanukkah

7. Hand-over-hand tambourines. Roll the hand over the jingles, rub the hand on the drum head. Perfect song: We Three Kings

I use chimes, triangles, and toning bowls cautiously for this population, unless I’m absolutely sure that it’s a good fit for the individual. With the proper preparation and demonstration, these tools would be perfect. But avoid any instrument that might startle your client.

And remember: The brain is active. The brain is receptive. Introduce yourself. Allow the opportunities for the individual to vocalize back and forth in conversation.

My friend Natalie Mullis wrote recently about Alzheimer’s and Divorce. Also, my friend Rachelle Norman wrote about using an ocean drum with her clients living with late stage. Both are great reads!

Off to the Jingle Jungle for me! 3 holiday sessions back-to-back this morning. Did I ever mention this is the best job EVER?

What do you do for your clients living with mid-late stage dementia?

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