ABSTRACT
The home, funded privately or by Social Services, should provide a safe, warm environment and a balanced diet for its residents. Institutional life, coupled with the insularity of the home, can lead to mental stagnation. There is a growing recognition that stimulating the mind leads to improved physical health in the elderly and that Art, including live music, is an effective means to this end. As the home functions on a 24 hour, 365 days a year basis, the staff work in shifts. There will probably be an Officer in Charge, a Deputy, a Third Officer and a team of care staff runnning the home. More than in any other venue, it is crucial to find time to talk to the residents as individuals. The presence of those who normally perform for a large audience speaks of esteem rather than the disdain which the frail elderly often experience.
