I would say they DEFINITELY do ... The smiles on the faces of the audience, and their interaction during the performance, tells me they are truly enjoying themselves ... they may not remember it for one minute after the performance ends, but "in the moment" they are having a wonderful time ...



Russ, I truly admire your humanitarian efforts in this, and other, causes. But I also have to say that in my years of performing in NH/AL residences, fortunately, I have only been witness to one "hell hole", and it was one that I was taking rehab in ... I was scheduled to be there for 5 days, but on the second night I told my wife "I am getting out of here tomorrow" ...
I can only speak from my experience, but the places I have worked in have been clean, the staffs have been very attentive, and the residents really seem happy. As I walk to the area I am playing in I often pass the residences rooms and they are neat, the beds are made, and they look clean.
Granted, I am not there 24/7, but I think that cleanliness of the space, and friendliness of the staff is not something that can be turned on and off with the flick of a switch.
So perhaps the efforts of your Nursing Home Reform group are bearing fruit, and maybe it is starting in RI.