Week #23
Songs Celebrating Men
This is week 23 of the year and we will be celebrating songs celebrating men, by delving into the songs and applying concepts to create more joy and connection during caregiving routines with music.
The songs are:
Alexander’s Ragtime Band
Casey Jones
Danny Boy
For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow
Michael Row the Boat Ashore
Rock-A My Soul
Sloop John B
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Featured Song
FOR HE’S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW
“For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” is often sung spontaneously to congratulate a guest of honor or to celebrate an event such as a promotion, wedding, anniversary, birthday, or when winning a sports championship. Following “Happy Birthday”, this song is the second most popular English language song. The same tune is also used for the children’s song “TheBear Went Over the Mountain.
Is this melody familiar to you?
Are the words familiar?
Did you find yourself humming along?
How did it affect you? Did your awareness change? Your breath? Your focus? Your mood?
Would you feel comfortable playing this in the background and allow yourself to hum or sing along? By yourself and/or with the one(s) you care for?
Here is a song about men, sung by men. Check it out and share with a gentleman that you appreciate!
Creative Ideas
HOW TO USE THE MUSIC
Try humming or singing along with the provided recording, or one of your choosing for increased feeling of ______.
Listen to a recording to create a shared experience.
Listen while engaged in daily routines, to add a feeling of familiarity and comfort (if the song is known and loved)
Try reminiscing with the song history, or singers of the song. Look at pictures famous singers who performed the song.
SELF-CARE TIPS
A few tips on how to let music help decrease your stress, in less than 3 minutes!
Change your morning alarm to a pleasing sound or music, instead of a harsh “beep”
put on a favorite song and watch your mood change
try adding music to your exercise or walking routines, it can shift your thoughts from stress to joy
If you decide to try one of these stress busters, share your story! at [email protected]
Even 3 minutes of listening can change your mood!
CAREGIVING TIPS
Try playing BINGO with the songs from this week! The BINGO cards are on page 3-17 of this file. Just print the number of cards you need, gather a few players (even just you and the one you care for!), play the songs from the playlist this week, mark a big X on the song after it is played and call BINGO when you get 3 in a row. You can offer a physical prize (food or drink treat, hand lotion, tissues, etc) or a celebration with cheers and a hug. Have fun!
Why play BINGO?
it’s a fun distraction from daily routines
it might trigger memories
it is a great way to use the songs for the week
it could stimulate singing or humming or dancing, which creates feelings of connection and safety
it often brings smiles, laughter and celebration!
What you need to play:
Recordings of the songs (from these youtube or soundcloud links or the ones above)
Willingness to have fun
Prizes ready (food or drink treat, lotion, tissues, card, flowers, hugs, words of celebration, etc.)
A marker to put an x on the songs that are played
Printed out BINGO cards
Allow 20-30 minutes to play, including time to reminisce
Invite anyone else in the house
DID YOU KNOW?
Our featured song “For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow” is:
the second most recognized song in the English language
popular around the world, with versions in various languages
a great reminder to find something to appreciate about those around you (and yourself) and share it with them in words or through a song!
easy to use to appreciate all people. Just change the lyrics to “For __(name)__’s a jolly good person”
Story
Shoshawna Rainwater & Rachel Coady Come Together to Create “Hope Floats”
“In 2019, we met because we were both on the caregiving journey for our moms, who had dementia. Over time, we’ve become close friends, colleagues, and great supporters of each other on our best and most challenging days. Today, we’re two friends, becoming podcasters, committed to finding and sharing better ways to navigate the challenges of caring for a person with dementia.”
“I was a social worker and dementia specialist long before I became a daughter of a person living with dementia. For all the clinical knowledge that I brought into this disease experience with my own parent, nothing prepared me for the “lived” experience of having a loved one with dementia. It has been a fundamental perspective and “game changer” to be in this role of care partner for a person living with progressive brain changes. And while I wouldn’t wish this disease on my parent or anyone else, it has allowed me to have a first-person experience that has shaped my understanding of the role of caregiver/care partner– one that I’m certain a “third person” perspective would not have allowed me to have.” - Shoshawna
“As a daughter, friend, niece, and colleague, far too many people I know are impacted by dementia and the challenges of navigating the caretaker’s journey. In my own experience, I found it overwhelming, lonely, and challenging to find the answers and support I needed to get through caring for my mom. It’s clear to me that we have to do better. My hope is that together, we can discuss our different experiences and discover what’s available when processing and caretaking in one of life’s most complex diseases.”- Rachel
Check out their Hope Floats podcast to:
Build knowledge
Reduce suffering
Enhance well-being
Thank you for taking the time to read through our newsletter. I hope you found at least one tip or inspiration that will bring more joy to your caregiving. 😄
In the music,
Lisa Peterson
🎵
