Music Therapy Activities for the Elderly

Learning from the Past in Organising Music Therapy Activities for the Elderly in Esan, Edo State of Nigeria

By Charles O. Aluede & Osakue Stevenson Omoera

 Legenda da fotografia:

"In the photograph above, an elder steps into the arena as the masquerades are about to go for rest. During this interval, a musical interlude is provided specially for the elderly. We can see a snatch of this in the photograph below as an elder takes over the dance."

Abstract

There are so many prejudices associated with aging all over the world. While in the Western world efforts are constantly being made to establish old peoples’ homes and nursing homes for geriatric purposes, the desired attention is yet to be drawn to this concept in Nigeria. Nigerian communities which used to be known for communal lifestyle seem to have jettisoned it as a result of acculturation. Today, the aged live with their kinsmen in the various societies without much attention given to them. Sometimes they are even seen as sources of threats, as when they are accused of spiritually having evil hands in the death of younger contemporaries in the society. It is against this backdrop that this paper surveys the use of music for geriatric purposes in the previous epochs in Esan and suggests a continuum of this practice so that fruitful years could be added to the lives of the aged in Esan.

Referência:

Aluede, Charles O. & Omoera, Osakue Stevenson (2010). Learning from the Past in Organising Music Therapy Activities for the Elderly in Esan, Edo State of Nigeria. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy. Retrieved March 15, 2010, from http://www.voices.no/mainissues/mi4001099030.php

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'...it was difficult to cut down 2 hours of footage into a short, 3 minute piece in ONE day...'

 nickisun

"This is my entry for Project Report in telling a 3-minute story about a compelling person. I choose Jennifer Allison Tran, one of the most inspirational individuals I have had the privilege of having in my life.

Jen is 21 years old and has already done so much to make a difference in the lives of children through an organization she founded called Red Balloon.

Named after a foreign, French film about a boy who became best friends with a red balloon, Red Balloon embodies the idea that something so small could make a big difference in the life of a child.

Red Balloon is a huge benefit concert Jen plans every November and hosts at UC Davis with soon-to-be well-known musicians from YouTube or at cafes. Past musicians include Gabe Bondoc, Cathy Nguyen, Tyler Weinrich, Donna Ibarra, Ruby Ibarra, and Anna de Guzman.

On February 26th, 2010 she organized a mini Red Balloon at the UC Davis Children's Hospital in order to continue supporting the music therapy program. Jen has seen the miraculous ways in which music affects hospitalized children and wants nothing more than to generate more interest and funding.

*Sam's* name has been changed for confidentiality reasons
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This is my first documentary I have ever done and although it was difficult to cut down 2 hours of footage into a short, 3 minute piece in ONE day (due to the event being yesterday), I am very blessed to have been witness to Jen's event.

I am very thankful to have met her.

This documentary wouldn't have been possible without the wonderful people at the UC Davis Children's Hospital who allowed me permission to videotape and interview, the wonderful musicians (Tyler Weinrich, Anna de Guzman, and Donna Ibarra), AggieTV (for allowing me to borrow equipment to shoot this), and of course, Jennifer, my inspiration.

A huge thank you to the Pulitzer Center, YouTube, and Sony for partnering together to give young, aspiring journalists, like myself, this wonderful opportunity!  "