Anyone play in nursing homes?

[Jbroad572]

I've been really feeling led and desire in my heart to start trying to play in some nursing homes to minister to the occupants. I'd like to have a keyboard player as well, but might just be me and the sax. Has anyone else ever done this? Not sure how it would turn out or what to expect, but I do plan on calling a few nursing homes to see if they would be wiling to let me come in to play for 30-45 minutes a week or every other week. I would hope to establish some relationships and be able to minster to some people. If notthing else, just provide some company. My grandmother died in a nursing home and I know how lonley and cold it can be for some people. I know some people are just thrown in there and forgot about and have so much bitterness and resentment and you never know when you can spread that little bit of love to them that may make their day better. Anyways, has anyone ever done this? What did you play? Old school hymns, contemporary stuff? I know most would not be picky might even be best to switch it up with some hymns they may be familiar with and even some of my favorite genre... Jazz
Thoughts?

[Wash]

It is very gratifying and uplifting to the occupants and to yourself.   Just to see the look on their faces mades it worthwhile.   It definitely is medicine to them and you also.  Definitely you can make a difference.  I'm sure that God will bless you for your compassion to the elderly.   Once you start they will always be looking forward to it.  You will be ministering to them.

[4hisglory]

I thought about this but ahving done it yet.

[Lilfingers]

Actually, I had a sister in a nursing home--and my other sister and I would go visit and sing and play.  The patients were soooooooo receptive.  All I had to do was start playing and you would see them rolling in, in their wheelchairs and walkers to sit around and join in.  Sometimes they would make requests or just sing what I played.  It is a very, very, very uplifting feeling, and you know you doing something that God loves and would want you to do. By the way, the staff liked it also---it kind of calm everybody down. Music is universal!!!!!
JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ferrente]

Yes! I play in a nursing home once a month.  It makes eveyone there happy and I am very happy to have service with them.

I play songs like:

This little light of Mine
One more Time
Jesus Saved My Soul
Jesus
Soon and very soon
Victory is Mine

We have a full service once a month for one hour.

[Divinecalling1]

This will be a very rewarding experience for you.  We used to do this about once a month with my mom we would sing and pray for them.  Many of the patients with Alzhiemers didnt remember their own children or remember their own names but they remember the old hyms (and nursery rhyms) and I heard about one man who anytime the minister would come to pray for him he would cry, because he although he didnt remember his wife he knew what the minister represented.

We would sing a mixture of hyms and inspirational songs, and anything we wanted, (they enjoyed the hyms the most) but I am sure they would love to hear some of your Jazz:

This little light of mine
Amazing Grace
Oh when the saints go marching in
Glory Glory Halleluia
Old rugged cross
God has smiled on me
Jesus center of my Joy

They love the old songs because they remember these.....Many people came to the Lord, we always said the sinners prayer with them (our most important assignment), said something inspirational about how God loves them, They were so oooooo happy and so grateful.  We had the opportunity to witness andminister to staff as well as invite them to church.

Be blessed...
Divine

[mrs.smith]

Yes!  We take our youth Praise team to two different nursing homes every month.  It has been sucha good thing! Of course the residents are interested because they see kids, and then we have learned, if we sing loud, praise and worship, get down and have" chuch "songs, we get the best reaction.  Many individuals who live there can't talk, but they can clap.  We get alot of audience participation that way.  We do sing songs like "Jesus loves me" too - they really like to see the kids singing action songs as well.  We have been blessed in that we now have a following of staff who will come and listen to us.  We also reach families who find their loved ones listening, and they they stay to listen too.  What a great thing!  I am really passionate about this ministry.  Not only are we praising God, and passing out His love, we also find it emboldens the youth to try new songs out, to try new things... I call it a captive audience   The kids may feel as though they have failed a song, but the residents are always so positive and receptive, that everyone is better for the experience.  PLEASE! if you are even thinking about the ministry, GO FOR IT!  Our Pastor stops in everyonce in a while.  When he does, he preaches and then takes the kids out to eat.  That is always a hit! Blessings!

[bishop2]

One thing about it with me,  I was surprise at how much joy I got playing in the nursing home, then on sunday.... It's tough when you first do it, but you will feel like 24k gold... Why, because you are doing the work of the Lord, reaching people that cant just walk in the service, you have to bring the service to them... And we get attitudes about what choir is singing, and these people WISH they could walk in church.... Its a beautiful thing man.

[gtrdave]

I've done it before and intend on doing it again. Thank you for the reminder, praise God.

Hymns, baby! They love hymns but you can sneak a couple praise/gospel choruses in there too and see who sings along...might be surprised.

Maybe take a couple other folks with you who live to serve and minister so that they can pray with people and be encouraging to them.

Nursing homes, hospitals, jails, folks on the street, etc...we do need to go do unto the least of these, don't we? Let them know that they are not forgotten.

[lumbebear1]

I used to play in nursing homes, absolutely loved it. The residents loved it also. Go for it, I'm sure you will love it after wirnessing the joy on all those beautiful faces.

[SisterT]

Nursing homes, hospitals, jails, folks on the street, etc...we do need to go do unto the least of these, don't we? Let them know that they are not forgotten.

My church does an excellent job with outreach. Our prison ministry, which I am a part of visits 6-7 prisons in the state per month. We will be having a cook-out on the grounds of two of the units next month. I will be preaching for one of them.

As far as the nursing honmes, I agree with most, do the hymns. I have gone to nursing homes and ministered as well. You have a variety of residents from different ethnic backgrounds, but most are familiar with hymns. Also, allow the residents to participate. SOmeone may want to sing. Give them an opportunity...they love it. Oh, and don't play too loud. 

[2KlubKlarity]

I will actually be playing in a nursing home this semester as part of my music therapy sessions. The senior citizens do love it, especially when us students come in. We sing and play the guitar and piano. We also have activities they can participate in that can help those with limited mobility and other issues. Music is healing and i've seen its wonders!

[katstrat]

I've done it before and intend on doing it again. Thank you for the reminder, praise God.

Hymns, baby! They love hymns but you can sneak a couple praise/gospel choruses in there too and see who sings along...might be surprised.

Maybe take a couple other folks with you who live to serve and minister so that they can pray with people and be encouraging to them.

Nursing homes, hospitals, jails, folks on the street, etc...we do need to go do unto the least of these, don't we? Let them know that they are not forgotten.

They do like hymns.We do this on occasion,and probably should do it every week,or two weeks.They love the older hymns the best. My wife goes every month and leads them in singing,but she doesn't play any instruments.