InnerActive Arts sessions are designed for seniors who are residents of independent and assisted-living communities, nursing/rehabilitation centers and dementia care facilities. Population-appropriate enrichment activities employ the expressive arts to provide positive opportunities for engagement, stimulation, support and fulfillment. More personalized programs are available for lower functioning individuals and the programs below can be modified accordingly.

……….Here are descriptions of some InnerActive Arts activities:

 

MusicMakers

This program is designed to improve the quality of life for seniors through the power of music. Who doesn’t like music? All people are unified by the rhythms of nature, the rhythms of the body and by music in general. The goal is to strengthen these bonds and provide an invigorating sense of connection, belonging and well-being.

Participants are guided by the facilitator to make music together with instruments and voices. Included are various activities within a “rhythm circle” format that encourage movement, dexterity, skill development and community building. Included is Hand Dancing, Conducting with Mr. Maestro, Song Miming, Call and Response and Playing Boomwhackers and Hand/Desk Bells. Each of these creative music and movement activities promote the joy of music and the joy of life. Sessions can be open for families to participate.

 

InnerActive Poetry  

This poetry workshop is a sequential series that teaches residents to express themselves through the writing of poetry. Everyone’s a poet, but may not know it. Poetry gives a person a chance to say things one would not ordinarily be able to say. It is a way of finding hidden thoughts and feelings within and turning them into Art.

The sessions first concentrate on what art is, what poetry is and the subtle differences between regular speech and poetry. We listen to familiar poems and recitations by actors and famous poets and then discuss their work.

From the beginning, there are word games and playful exercises to reduce fear and stress of those who are not comfortable with poetry or writing in general. This is a fun way to build the requisite skills of thinking, looking, listening, feeling and writing.

note: Students may write if they are willing and able, but the facilitator, staff or volunteers will transcribe as needed.

As a group we then compose poems based on themes, forms and techniques provided. Other sensory stimulation is sometimes used. For example, handling sea shells, starfish and sand to compose a poem about the ocean, seeing and smelling fresh flowers and plants for a poem about Spring, listening to music to capture the mood of a certain place or time.

Hearing our poems read aloud provides another boost of confidence as we then begin to individually write poetry. Members of the group often display support and encouragement to one another for their efforts and develop a general “esprit de corps”.  Recurring rituals include the “Welcome” poem and a brief greeting to and from each person, Word-of-the-Week, Rhyme Tyme, Simple Similes, close with “Until We Meet Again” poem, and distribute the Take-Home Poem and Things to Think About.  This project culminates with a celebratory event for participants and families and presentation of the poems in a booklet.

 

StoryMakers

Residents are guided through the creative process of making up stories using photographic and audio stimulation to spark their creative imagination. Many types of photos are used, including images of daily life, scenes from childhood, mysterious, intriguing or comic situations, paintings by Norman Rockwell and other famous artists. Audio recordings of sound effects, ambient sounds of weather, water, bells, parades, etc. also are used to trigger the imagination. Other stories can be launched with a topic, question or a plot line developed by the group. Completed stories with the photo can be posted internally and/or published on line.

 

Expressions

Using the “Art of Conversation” for sharing, learning, reflection and introspection. Seniors have a lot to say, but seldom are asked to speak. This is an opportunity to tell each other and the community what we’re thinking. We will listen to the voices of some famous people for additional insight and examine examples of older people who inspired the world with their words. Classic art, music, literature and film clips will be used to generate topics of discussion. Conversation is guided to help facilitate creative reminiscence and life review.

The participants will be encouraged to initiate a project of community service that somehow uses their experience, compassion and wisdom to help others. Examples are writing letters to the editor, notes to military personnel or prisoners, cards to hospital patients, connecting with and supporting schools, children or any cause or charity. Any of these could be produced in audio or video form as well.  Another project is to compose a “Letter to the Future” that describes our collective experience, memories, advice and hopes for future generations. It’s not all serious! There is always time for spinning yarns, telling tales and favorite jokes.

Various recitations, anecdotes and quips are recorded and compiled into a radio style audio program.

 

Musical Memories

Live InnerActive musical performances of the most popular and familiar music of the 20th century, emphasizing nostalgia, reminiscence and participation. The sound of “piano music” is very popular among the older generation.

The program includes humorous commentary and background information about the songs, the singers and the composers. Some performances include “Name That Tune”, “Name That Singer”, dancing with audience or staff and an Old Fashioned Sing-a-Long.

 

for more about MUSICAL MEMORIES

 

InnerActive Songwriting

Songs are written in collaboration with a professional songwriter.   The first exercise is to replace some words in an existing song to change the meaning by filling in the blank. Then entirely new lyrics can be put to old songs. Participants choose the topics, suggest lyrics and are assisted in matching new words to the old melody. Songs are sung together as a group.

We will learn about the lives and work of America’s greatest songwriters while listening to and singing their songs. Finally we will write an entirely original lyric that can be set to music and recorded.