Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can be easier to cope with if you have the right help. Our guide explores how to make the home safe and enjoyable for loved ones who may be coping with these issues.
Author: Cortney Malpiede
Regis University Women’s Soccer Team
Personalized Holiday Cards
for Nursing Home Elders
The women’s soccer team from Regis University came together to write holiday cards for residents in nursing homes during this holiday season! Each player included a personalized note with their jersey number as well as a team picture to feature each team member. We are incredibly thankful for community partners like the women’s soccer team for the love and thoughtfulness they share with our elder care communities!
Regis Student Creates
Rainbow Catcher Kits
for Elders’ Rooms
Ann Edelman, Family Nurse Practitioner student at Regis University, created Rainbow Catcher kits and instructions for elders to create in their rooms during this time in isolation. A rainbow catcher is a hanging decoration, usually displayed in windows, which is used to catch the sunlight and form rainbows or pretty reflections to appear in your room. They come in all shapes, sizes, and styles but almost always use beads in their designs.
Ann said, “I absolutely loved putting this project together. How nice it was to feel like my contribution would be adding joy to someone else’s life.”
We appreciate Ann’s creativity and service to our elders during this time.
Puzzle Drive to Benefit Elders
Dylan Brown, who is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner student at Regis University held a puzzle drive in his local neighborhood to benefit residents’ boredom and well-being during this pandemic. Dylan was blown away by the generosity of his neighbors and received more than 50 puzzles to donate to nursing homes in need! While our hearts are heavy for the current state of the world and the reality in nursing homes, we feel blessed to have volunteers like Dylan and those in his community who come together to provide for our elder care communities.
Categories
Staying Connected Initiative
STAYING CONNECTED DURING AND BEYOND COVID
When elder care partners locked down, we launched our “Staying Connected Initiative” in April. There have been thousands of cards, letters and gifts delivered throughout metro Denver and surrounding areas by Bessie’s Hope. Zoom and outside visits helped reach out to the elders.
The P.E.O. Denver Chapter EH was previously featured for their “Inspiration Garden” of colorful posters planted outside for the elders to see. Below is the article in their international magazine and photos from their outside visit. This organization of women helping women was founded on principles including charity, faith, hope, justice, truth, community and love. For more information about P.E.O. visit: www.peointerntional.org
We want to make it easier and more accessible for more elders to communicate through technology. So, through a platform called “House Party” and the Facebook video chat through messaging, we can begin to set up the visits between individual elders and individual volunteers, families and extended techno groups. With the donation from American Furniture Warehouse, we can begin purchasing tablets for the individual elders who are not able to pay for this type of communication device and who have no family to purchase it for them. Will you consider making a donation toward this? Go to our website and click on “Donate”. A tablet costs between $80 and $100, and we will keep a record of who purchases a device for which elder. You can also send a check to Bessie’s Hope, PO Box 12675, Denver 80212.
Because of COVID, we have had to provide Zoom training. This has introduced Bessie’s Hope to method of expansion that we hadn’t begun before. An online training and online intergenerational communication platforms will soon be launched through Bessie’s Hope. Like signing up for continued education classes, individual youth and adult volunteers will have a participation code. This will be accessible for families and groups, too. The Bessie’s Hope “Social/Emotional Intelligence Ninja” project will be especially of interest to parents who want to provide opportunities for youth to be more aware of the most valuable character traits, empathy, respect and compassion. There aren’t many opportunities for youth to have to “put yourself into their shoes”. Through the years, involvement in the Bessie’s Hope nursing home visits, youth have been changed at depth, and their core characters have been illumined. This was due to our education and training, and in large part, to the interactions and relationships with the elders.
Parents, if you are interested in receiving more information regarding the “Ninja” project, please email linda@bessieshope.org. Teachers and other youth group leaders, if you’d like to provide a deeply meaningful volunteer opportunity during COVID, we can provide zoom trainings, and the youth can become involved in sending cards and letters. The elders are from the era of mail, and they treasure the pieces of mail they receive. They read them over and over again, save them, display them, etc. Please go online and fill out an application for the Youth and Elders Program.
Since we must be optimistic and plan for life after COVID, we are reaching out to schedule outside youth visits for late spring. Already on board is Mandy Bakulski with her youth from the McCulloch Scottish Dance Academy! We are ready to give the elders these youth group visits to look forward to! Will you join us?
Please email claire@bessieshope.org
Stay safe! The elders need us—-all of us.
6 Places to Volunteer With Your Family By Kara Thompson Assistant Editor for Colorado Parent Magazine and Bessie’s Hope Family and Elders Volunteer.
Teach your kids the importance of giving back.
The holidays can get hectic, but it’s important to slow down and remind yourself (and your family) what truly matters. The winter season can be hard for many people, especially those who are sick, struggling financially, and feeling isolated and lonely due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Take this opportunity to teach your kids about the importance of giving back. Research and explain what a few local organizations do to help others in community, then ask your child which charity they would most like to help. Here’s a list of organizations in search of volunteers to help get started.
Bessie’s Hope
Bessie’s Hope launched a “Staying Connected” initiative at the beginning of lockdown on elder care facilities. Initially, thousands of letters, cards, kid’s drawings, and gifts were delivered, but now things have slowed down. “The isolation and depression has grown within the elder care facilities. This is heartbreaking for those of us at Bessie’s Hope who were already trying to make communities aware that 60% of nursing home elders have no personal visitors” says Linda Holloway, co-founder and development director at Bessie’s Hope.
Now more than ever, Bessie’s Hope is in need of more letters, cards and drawings. The cards should be written to one person (Dear Special Person) and can be mailed to Bessie’s Hope, PO Box 12675, Denver, CO 80212.
The cards should let the elders know the following:
They are very valuable and important to the community.
Their wisdom and life experiences are needed.
They are appreciated for who they are.
We are looking forward to spending time with them once it’s safe.
We are thinking of them and sending them our love…
To read more on this article please follow the link below.
St. Mary’s Academy students, Morgan and Peyton Ankrum create handmade soaps for elders.
St. Mary’s students, Peyton, and Morgan Ankrum lifted the spirits of residents by creating “soaps and notes” for elders to enjoy. They handmade over 100 soaps with lovely scents and personalized them with handwritten notes for residents to hold and read. Last year, Peyton and Morgan created a gift wrapping and note writing project to help elders give gifts to their loved ones. While Bessie’s Hope programs look different this year, we are grateful for continued support from volunteers like Peyton and Morgan.
P.E.O Chapter EH partnered with Bessie’s Hope and paid an incredibly special visit to residents at TenderCare of University Hills. We were connected through one of our Board Members and long time supports, Ann O’Neill, who is a member of the P.E.O. Chapter. Chapter members painted yard signs with simple inspirational messages hoping to provide colorful, uplifting messages of cheer that created a “Garden of Yard Sign Inspiration”.
While placing signs, we also participated in a sing along. Each round, we would personalize the song by singing specifically to each individual resident by name. We would clap along while singing and kept the tune simple so that participants could naturally sing along!
The visit took place in the driveway of TenderCare. All wore masks and kept distance while joy and happiness were shared through music and clap along songs. Even though everyone was six feet apart, connection and love were felt by all
Categories
Threshold Choir
What is Threshold Choir?
August 2020
Debbie Aragon
debaragon5@gmail.com
One Choir, Many Voices
Singing for those at the thresholds of life in over 200 communities around the world.
Vision
A world where all at life’s thresholds may be honored with compassion shared through song.
Mission
Singing for those at the thresholds of life.
Website: www.thresholdchoir.org
History of Threshold Choir:
The inspiration and seed for the Threshold Choir was planted in June of 1990 in California by Kate Munger. She combined some profound personal experiences with death, with her love of singing, and being of service to others. She formed a group and then other groups began forming and spread throughout California. Chapters are now currently in many states in the U.S., as well as in Canada, and in other countries around the world. As of 2018, there were over 200 chapters worldwide, and that number is continually growing. Threshold Choir members are volunteers, who sing with and for all people who are facing death, grief or suffering.
What exactly is Threshold Singing?
The goal of Threshold Singing is to bring ease and comfort to those at the thresholds of living and dying. A calm and focused presence at the bedside, with gentle voices, calming, simple and often lullaby type songs, and sincere kindness, can be soothing and reassuring to clients, family, and caregivers alike. Most importantly, of course, the goal is always to convey compassion and respect for individuals at the threshold.
When invited to a bedside, there are small groups of two to four singers. Some songs are planned ahead while others are chosen to respond to the client’s musical taste, spiritual direction, and current receptivity. Many of the songs are composed by Threshold Choir members specifically to communicate ease, comfort, and presence. The songs are appropriate for all – those who are deeply religious or spiritual, or not at all. A session typically lasts about 20 minutes, sometimes a little longer depending on the individual situation. Using soft, lullaby voices, the voices blend in unison or in harmonies, singing as gentle blessings, not as entertainment. It is absolutely fine when a client falls asleep while listening to the singing. Most of the songs are very short, so their repetition is conducive to rest and comfort. Families have said that Threshold singing helps them to “be more present” with their loved ones.
Music has the potential to be a healing power and can be an instrument for peace and justice. Threshold Choir is committed to creating a harmonious culture of inclusivity, respect, and love, represents and welcomes all backgrounds, is non faith based, and does not tolerate discrimination in any form. Threshold Choir is a 501(c)3 organization, funded and supported by donations. There is great interest and support for Threshold singing from the public, the hospice community, and the choral community. Professional and academic recognition of the significance of this work continues to expand locally, as well as internationally. There are approximately 400 songs in the current Threshold Choir library and that number is growing – the songs are typically lullaby like, calming, short, soothing songs, having melody and 3 part harmonies. Of the many Threshold songs, there are a number of core Threshold songs, ones that tend to be sung more often than others. Each Threshold Choir chapter is firmly rooted in its local community while also being an important part of our shared community as an international organization, singing from the same repertoire and shared experiences at regional and international gatherings. Choir members are always welcome at rehearsals in any location and at Threshold gatherings outside their own home area.
Who are those that become Threshold Choir members?
Many kinds of people are drawn to becoming bedside singers, and for many reasons. Some join after hearing about Threshold Choir or hearing the unique music, while some come after caring for a family member, or are hospice workers or volunteers. Some are part of traditional religions, some are not religious at all, and some have a personal form of spirituality that has no label. A few are professional musicians; most are not. All members learn to carry their parts and blend their voices, some by reading music and others learning solely by ear. Some have (or have had) careers in all types of fields, and some have focused on home-based work and volunteering.
Rehearsals, in addition to practicing and learning the music, are also a time to enjoy each other’s company, and an opportunity to have fun and share concerns. Often times, meaningful friendships form within a Threshold group, and those relationships are deepened by the important work that is done together. As Threshold Choir singers, most importantly shared is a repertoire of beautiful, meaningful, and soothing songs and a desire to provide comfort and peace at significant and challenging stages in life. The opportunity to provide comfort and peace is a great motivation for Threshold Choir singers. But as singers we also benefit and are blessed by Threshold singing both in unison and in harmonies.
Auditions are not required of new singers, and yet there is required a certain level and style of vocal skill. Skills required for joining may vary from chapter to chapter, but these are the general guidelines for someone who wants to join with the intent of singing at bedsides:
1) be able to carry a tune,
2) be able to hold your own part (or sincerely want to learn to) while others sing harmony,
3) be able to sing softly and blend your voice with others (or sincerely want to learn),
4) be able to communicate kindness with your voice, and
5) be willing to use self-monitoring and accept peer feedback as we work together to bring the most blended and graceful sound to our clients.
Threshold Choir Values:
We are committed to these values when we serve our clients. We recognize the privilege of being invited into our clients’ lives at a significant threshold and honor that privilege by maintaining these values at every level of the Threshold Choir organization:
We value honesty, sincerity, care, and respect in all our interactions.
We value each person’s own life path, choices, and experiences.
We value transformative power of love and the healing power of presence.
We value the importance of compassion and kindness.
We value the benefit of listening with more than just our ears.
We value caring for ourselves while being of service to others.
We value diversity with respect to spiritual paths, cultures, and abilities without respect to age, race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or physical ability.
We value dignity, worth, and uniqueness of all people.
We value the sanctity of all life.
We value the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination.
We know that we are giving something extremely precious when we sing at the bedside of someone on the threshold. We are aligning our integrity, our gratitude, and our deep generosity with our voices and dancing in the balance
of humility and confidence,
of service and self-healing,
of one singer’s voice blended with others,
of following the breath of our “traveler” with the blessing of our own breath,
of the stranger bringing grace to an intimate moment.
We are making kindness audible.
Of the many occasions when the Threshold Choir has been featured in the media, the following selections have especially captured the essence of what Threshold Choir is all about and does in many communities:
Video and Audio Interviews:
The Washington Post Video
May 2018
“Dying is a part of living: Threshold choir visits hospice patients” (2:54 minutes)
PBS Video
December 2016
“The Threshold Choir” (6:33 minutes)
Great Big Story (CNN) Video
July 2016
“Songs of Comfort at the End of Life” (3 minutes)
KQED Video
June 2016
“Threshold Choir Brings Songs of Comfort to the Dying” by Rachel Berger (6 minutes)
NPR Weekend Edition
August 2014
“At Life’s Last Threshold, Choir Brings Comfort” by Emily Siner (5 minutes)
NPR All Things Considered
December 2013
“Threshold Choir Sings to Comfort the Terminally Ill”, an interview with Kate Munger, founder of the Threshold Choir, by Arun Rath (4 minutes)
Death: the podcast
August 2016
“The Gift of Song”, an interview with Annie Garretson and Sally Rothstein of the Pikes Peak Threshold Singers (34 minutes)
Well Talk Radio Interview
July 2016
Interview with Susan Randazzo, Charlotte Russell, and Suzanne Buell of the Threshold Singers of Indian Hill Music (30 minutes)
The practice began in California and spread to 130 communities around the world. The mission of the Threshold Choir is to bring gentle acapella singing to people who are dying in hospitals and hospices, usually with three or four voices at a time. We accompanied the Washington, DC Threshold group as it comforted a patient during the last stages of his life.
Aired: 12/16/2016
Publications:
“6 Stories That Will Inspire You to Give Back This Holiday Season: A Final Note” by Julia Scheeres, The Oprah Magazine, November 2018
“When someone hovers at the edge of death, these singers step in to ease the passage” by Debra Bruno. The Washington Post. May 2018
“This Choir Sings to People On the Verge of Dying, and It’s Just Beautiful” by Amy Paturel in Reader’s Digest, March 2016
“Threshold Choir: A Legacy of Healing and Peace” by Lynn Pribus in go60.us, June 2014
“Choirs support and comfort those at life’s threshold” by Sharon Sheridan in Episcopal News Service, December 2013
“Singing at the Threshold”
by Kelsey Menehan in The Voice, Spring 2013
“A Choir Rehearsal That Grew into Two” by Karen B. Kaplan in Offbeatcompassion (blog), July 2013
Family and Elder Volunteer April May began volunteering in the Fall of 2019 visiting with Sister Mary, Jack and Larry at Bethany Nursing and Rehab. Unfortunately due to limited staff and technology, connecting has been extremely difficult during the pandemic. However, April May really stepped up and showed her support during our Bessie’s Hope virtual “E-Race Loneliness.” Not only was she an absolute rock star, but also our grand prize winner!
April and her team members were able to raise six hundred and twenty dollars and she personally completed over 486,855 steps!
We are so thankful to have such dedicated volunteers during this time. Thank you, April for all of your steppin’!
High School Senior, Jake Sheykhet is a talented artist and student who decided to share his artistic abilities with Bessie’s Hope! Jake became connected to us through his mother, Iryna Lukova, a Family and Elders Program member.
Jake has been conducting painting lessons via Zoom to one of our elder care communities, Garden Care Homes Jewell Estates. The painting lessons offer relaxation for the elders and the opportunity to tap into their creative sides. It is always a joyful occasion!
One of our new volunteers, Christina Manweller, came to help Bessie’s Hope through our “Staying Connected Initiative.” Christina provided multiple recordings of herself reciting poetry that she had written to engage with elders and offer a creative and peaceful reflection during this difficult and stressful time. Below you can read one of her poems!
“Aiming Toward Evening”, by Christina Manweller
Yesterday I cut back the unruly trumpet vine,
cut it back to a stubby flame of stick.
Like me: a shadow of itself,
but soon to bloom out of so dry a wick.
A bird busies himself,
knitting a distinct lulling song
around the late afternoon Sabbath.
The sun, sweet on my back,
won’t settle for long I know—
the earth inevitable in its movement.
Another bird starts a song
from across the yard,
knitting his own Sabbath coat.
It is possible to swaddle oneself,
to let go,
to bathe in song and in sun
and close your eyes, let go
of, and let go of . . .
A squirrel starts yammering
in the tall blue spruce,
a tree planted by Grandpa
when his son, my uncle, died.
I must remember
to water tomorrow if there’s no rain;
there will be no rain.
A crow calls from the yard next door.
Somewhere nearby, an electric saw cuts
the afternoon in two. Stops.
A finch flashes past
to land on the tall plank fence.
The sun warms my back still
though shadows crawl forward,
forward, and in a new wind I feel the start
of a certain coolening
as the Rocky Mountains reach reach for that sun,
so that I know the afternoon will bottom out
before long in a quick-fallen dusk.
From here I can see Pike’s Peak
rising deep blue, rising to the south
straight out of nothing,
the sky light and lightening up above.
Clouds, burrowing into one another,
form, re-form, then stagnate, and calm.
The crow yells, a primitive sound beseeching;
lifts off, flap-flapping away
to the west out of sight. The breeze stills.
A neighbor starts hammering—
hammering at something.
Whap whap whap whap. Stops.
“O.K.” he says. “O.K.”
