Man in nursing home reacts to music; ministering to others

How a man in the nursing home reacts to hearing music, recently went viral on social media.

If you have a few moments, check out the above video. It’s a perfect example of how powerful music can be…Music is amazing, isn’t it?

I couldn’t help but smile when this man ‘came to life’ after hearing songs from his youth.

Over the past twenty years, I’ve been to nursing homes on numerous occasions. My first interactions were personal, since my grandfather, and later my grandmother was there. My grandfather was only there for about two years before he died. My grandmother lived for several more years.

They both  were fortunate… the majority of their children lived close by, and my father and his sister made sure they were visited daily; often by themselves. I’d usually visit on the weekends, since I was off of work.

Our family realized that interaction is important, and we kept visiting, even after my grandmother had Alzheimer, we kept visiting daily. Music was a part of the nursing home program where my grandmother resided, so I could see what an impact it had on some of the residents.

Music Ministry

So yes, I have first hand experience to the reaction that some have when they hear music. Over the past three years, it’s been displayed when my eight-year old daughter ministers to the nursing home residents through her piano playing.

In many cases, the catatonic stare when she started playing, and many would become alert, several would start singing.

My daughters piano teacher attends the same Lutheran church as ourselves. She’s also the church’s traditional music director.

Mark 16:15

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Sometimes the ‘world’ we need to be engaging, isn’t too far from our homes…

A few times yearly, her student’s minister to those at the nursing home through song. I’m thrilled that she realizes the impact that songs can have on people and is willing to showcase our children’s talent, with a group of people that most overlook.

My Lutheran church has an amazing music ministry, and several times yearly they minister to those in nursing homes. It makes me proud to be part of a spiritual family that makes an effort to reach out to many; cross cultural ministries, homeless shelter, food pantry, and our music program, are just a few of the ways we minister to others.