Saturday, I played my first nursing home, and I'm going to keep doing it!

I have been the primary caretaker of my father and mother-in-law for 11 years. She died last year, and Doc has been in a succession of places...moving as his condition (Alzheimers and heart problems) got worse. Six months ago, he had to leave an Alzheimer's center, because he became too weak to make it to the dining room on his own. The only place that could take him in the short term was awful...verbal abuse of patients...neglect...bed sores...excessive use of pharmaceuticals to avoid caring for them...a TERRRIBLE place. We got him into a GREAT place as soon as space became available, but while he was there, I became close to 4 patients, all in terrible shape. One is a young girl with advanced MD named Lachanda. She is always looking out for all patients, calling authorities and families when something wasn't right...a real sweet kid. She can't even sit up on her own, feed herself, etc., but still checks with the school on how her 11 year old daughter is doing and helps with her homework on week-ends.

Recently, she had a hysterectomy, which was very dangerous, given her condition. She was scared to death. I told her that when she returned (there was a real chance that she wouldn't survive), we'd have a party and that I would come play just for her. I had never played at a nursing home or assisted living facility before.

The whole place turned out. This is a "bottom feeder" low end place, always on probation with state authorities. Lachanda cried, and a great time was had by all residents.

Today, I agreed to rotate between 8 of these kinds of homes, who never pay to have entertainment. The city omnbusman is scheduling the times. On Sunday, normally my day off, I will play for brunch at a very upscale dining room at an assisted living center where Doc and his wife lived when he was in better shape, complete with (UGH!) a tux. The $100 fee will be sent directly to Hospice of the Bluegrass.

It's sad to me that, at the upscale places Doc was, there were few family member/visitors. At the low end place, where most patints were on Medicaid, many family members visit. On Tuesday each week while my grandson is taking his drum lesson, I go by the home where Lachanda, George, Mr. Brown and "Big Mamma" are to take treats and little things that make so much difference when you're so neglected and helpless.

During Christmas, the great kids (waiters, etc.) and owners at the upscale place I play regularly are going to serve a catered dinner
for my new friends on Christmas Eve..all volunteer, including the food.

I always thought that many musicians and entetainers who volunteered at nursing homes were probably not good enough to play paying jobs. Now I see that I may have been very wrong.


I just wish I had seen the light years ago.
Last week I played 5 well-paying gigs and my first free one.

Guess which one was the most satisfying?


Russ

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 11-14-2005).]

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 11-14-2005).]