Some good points have been brought up. I do both 55+ and nursing homes. I agree that they both like peppy type music, and not as old as one might think. I play a few of the big band, but they also like country,60's and 70's. The point about interaction is imperative at both venues. I can understand the reluctance to play where many are infirmed. I try to keep in mind that your music means so much to them in an otherwise hum drum life. Also, I remember a visiting wife who came up to me, afterwards, and thanked me profusely for coming, as her husband was a music lover, and just because he couldn't show it, didn't mean he wasn't deeply touched. When I first started, I was put off by the atmosphere, and lack of open responce by the infirmed. I got out of myself, and grew out of that real quick after learning not to judge a book by it's cover.