On Sunday, June 3, 2018, John, Jessica, Micah, and I went to our very last choir session at Seasons. Of the four choir sessions we’ve had this academic quarter, this last one has been by far the most memorable. For starters, we actually got a chance to lead the choir session [!]. Although this might sound intimidating, it actually turned out to be quite enjoyable. Micah played her Ukulele and John held up the songbook for her, since we did not have a music stand. Jessica and I passed out the songbooks to the residents and assisted them along the way. Despite having different tasks, all four of us made sure that when it came to singing, we would all sing in synchrony.
For the past three sessions, singing together as a group has not been a problem, mainly because Gene, the hired music guitarist at Seasons, has been the lead singer. However, Cathy, the Activities Director at Seasons, requested that for our last choir session, we sing after Gene in order to give the residents more singing time. By the time we arrived, Gene was about to finish singing the last few songs on his playlist, and Cathy encouraged us to join Gene on his last song. After Gene finished performing, it was our turn to lead the choir session. I could tell some of the residents were happy to see us, but most of them did not remember who we were, mainly because they have never met us, so Cathy introduced us as the 'UC San Diego students that came to sing for them.'
When John, Jessica, Micah, and I decided we wanted to start a new choir program for people with dementia in Seasons at La Jolla, we hoped to pick songs that the residents would not only enjoy, but also recall from their past memory. By borrowing some of the songs that Gene has been playing at Seasons, we hoped that through enough repetition, the residents would eventually feel comfortable singing along with us. After our first choir session at Seasons, Jessica made sure to print enough copies of the lyrics in large font for each song, in order to facilitate memory and encourage recall among the residents. Although we did not manage to get all the residents to sing along with us, during these past four choir sessions, we were successful at getting the residents involved in the process, while at the same time having a pleasant time.
Based on Cathy’s Healthy Aging Project (HAP) Participation Survey responses, the choir sessions were successful at making her and the residents feel more connected to younger people through the mutual love for music. Overall this positive experience has made Cathy and the residents want to continue attending more intergenerational activities that are music related in the near future. According to Cathy’s letter, (which I’ve attached to this journal entry), our presence has truly made a great impact in the emotional wellbeing of the residents. In her own words, Cathy says “since music is responded to differently than other cognitive skills, the positive and joyful ‘spirit’ of residents—manifested by their [uplifting, encouraging, and heartfelt] behaviors—made the choir sessions quite special.”
I completely agree with Cathy. The choir sessions have been quite special for me as well. Just by comparing the first session with the last, I could see a major change in the residents. At first, they were not entirely sure what our intentions were in Seasons at La Jolla. They thought we were Music Majors at UC San Diego, and were going to Seasons to practice our singing abilities. Towards the end, most of the residents realized the main reason we were at Seasons was to spend quality time with them. At the end of Sunday’s session, one of the residents even said, “Don’t leave. Come back!” When Micah explained the reason we were leaving was because it was almost dinner time, the resident said “Okay, but you should come back!” We both smiled and nodded our heads to confirm we were planning to come back.
Although Jessica will be graduating this school year, John, Micah, and I are hoping to continue going to Seasons at La Jolla, after summer break comes to an end. Overall, I’m really excited to see how these choir sessions will expand in the near future, especially since future Life Course Scholars may be interested in joining us. Overall, I’m really thankful for Cathy’s heartfelt letter and for Barrett’s permission to have us organize a choir program for dementia patients in Seasons at La Jolla, as part of the Life Course Scholars (LCS) Program at UCSD. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of our professors and UCSD's Center for Healthy Aging.
Thank you all!
For the past three sessions, singing together as a group has not been a problem, mainly because Gene, the hired music guitarist at Seasons, has been the lead singer. However, Cathy, the Activities Director at Seasons, requested that for our last choir session, we sing after Gene in order to give the residents more singing time. By the time we arrived, Gene was about to finish singing the last few songs on his playlist, and Cathy encouraged us to join Gene on his last song. After Gene finished performing, it was our turn to lead the choir session. I could tell some of the residents were happy to see us, but most of them did not remember who we were, mainly because they have never met us, so Cathy introduced us as the 'UC San Diego students that came to sing for them.'
When John, Jessica, Micah, and I decided we wanted to start a new choir program for people with dementia in Seasons at La Jolla, we hoped to pick songs that the residents would not only enjoy, but also recall from their past memory. By borrowing some of the songs that Gene has been playing at Seasons, we hoped that through enough repetition, the residents would eventually feel comfortable singing along with us. After our first choir session at Seasons, Jessica made sure to print enough copies of the lyrics in large font for each song, in order to facilitate memory and encourage recall among the residents. Although we did not manage to get all the residents to sing along with us, during these past four choir sessions, we were successful at getting the residents involved in the process, while at the same time having a pleasant time.
Based on Cathy’s Healthy Aging Project (HAP) Participation Survey responses, the choir sessions were successful at making her and the residents feel more connected to younger people through the mutual love for music. Overall this positive experience has made Cathy and the residents want to continue attending more intergenerational activities that are music related in the near future. According to Cathy’s letter, (which I’ve attached to this journal entry), our presence has truly made a great impact in the emotional wellbeing of the residents. In her own words, Cathy says “since music is responded to differently than other cognitive skills, the positive and joyful ‘spirit’ of residents—manifested by their [uplifting, encouraging, and heartfelt] behaviors—made the choir sessions quite special.”
I completely agree with Cathy. The choir sessions have been quite special for me as well. Just by comparing the first session with the last, I could see a major change in the residents. At first, they were not entirely sure what our intentions were in Seasons at La Jolla. They thought we were Music Majors at UC San Diego, and were going to Seasons to practice our singing abilities. Towards the end, most of the residents realized the main reason we were at Seasons was to spend quality time with them. At the end of Sunday’s session, one of the residents even said, “Don’t leave. Come back!” When Micah explained the reason we were leaving was because it was almost dinner time, the resident said “Okay, but you should come back!” We both smiled and nodded our heads to confirm we were planning to come back.
Although Jessica will be graduating this school year, John, Micah, and I are hoping to continue going to Seasons at La Jolla, after summer break comes to an end. Overall, I’m really excited to see how these choir sessions will expand in the near future, especially since future Life Course Scholars may be interested in joining us. Overall, I’m really thankful for Cathy’s heartfelt letter and for Barrett’s permission to have us organize a choir program for dementia patients in Seasons at La Jolla, as part of the Life Course Scholars (LCS) Program at UCSD. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of our professors and UCSD's Center for Healthy Aging.
Thank you all!