What is going on in the Community?
Congratulations to the Washtenaw County Seniors Leaders (WCSL), a nonprofit organization run by dedicated and hard work volunteers. The group is comprised of kind-hearted professionals from a variety of backgrounds and businesses who have an enjoyable time being together and helping one another. The weekly newsletter is well prepared to keep members well informed about opportunities to engage and help seniors in the community. Well done!
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Sounds of the Season: Create the Perfect Autumn Playlist with Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services
Autumn represents change and reflection, making it the perfect backdrop for seniors to embrace the therapeutic benefits of music. During this transformative season, sentimental and nostalgic feelings often arise. Creating an uplifting fall song playlist can be a cathartic way to express emotions. In this blog post, we explore music's profound impact on seniors' emotional, physical, and social well-being. Continue reading for a few Seniors Helping Seniors® recommendations on curating an inspiring autumn soundtrack.
Explore The Power of Music
Music therapy, a method of using music to promote well-being, is a powerful tool for seniors in the autumn. The practice uses musical elements, such as sound, rhythm, melody, and lyrics, to facilitate personal growth. Music's ability to evoke emotions and memories is particularly influential this time of year.
Listening to mindfully chosen melodies provides plenty of benefits for the senior community. These might include:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved mood
- Stimulated cognitive function.
In addition, Seniors Helping Seniors® caregivers can use elements of music therapy to foster social interaction, communication, and self-expression, contributing to a holistic approach to in-home senior care.
Introducing music therapy into your autumn routine can be as simple as curating a playlist that mirrors the season's essence. You can make a compilation by jotting down your favorite songs, hand-picking albums from your record collection, creating a custom CD, or digitally organizing your songs on a music streaming platform. Whichever method you choose, Seniors Helping Seniors® caregivers are ready to provide their support. Below, we've outlined four different categories and inventive ideas to guide you in creating an ideal fall-themed playlist.
1. Let Emotions Lead
Autumn's emotional depth can be your guide when curating a playlist. Consider a mood or feeling you want to evoke and choose resonant songs. For a joyful tone, go for lively tracks with optimistic lyrics and cheerful melodies. Alternatively, select songs with slower beats and contemplative themes for a more reflective sound.
2. Stick to a Genre
Add thematic structure to your playlist by focusing on a singular genre. Select a style that resonates with the season's mood. Consider genres like folk for a cozy, reflective ambiance or classic rock for a more celebratory feel.
3. Pick a Topic
Base your playlist on an autumn-related topic. Whether it's songs about cozy nights around a bonfire or the beauty of falling leaves, concentrating on fall subjects allows for a playlist with a consistent theme tailored to the unique aspects of the season.
4. Stay on Beat
Mirror your autumn mood through your playlist's tempo. Include slower, melodic tunes for reflection and introduce faster beats for celebration. Focusing on musical rhythm creates a dynamic soundtrack for your fall routine.
Crafting a themed playlist during autumn can be a simple and enriching experience. Listening to music that evokes certain feelings, whether through a singular genre, specific song topics, or precise musical rhythm, can stimulate seniors to connect with feelings that arise in the fall. No matter your musical preferences, Seniors Helping Seniors® caregivers can help you find harmonious notes for an introspective autumn soundtrack.
A Recipe Your Yolks Will Love!
Ready to celebrate National Deviled Egg Day? Grab an apron and a Seniors Helping Seniors® caregiver and let’s dig into a tasty recipe that’s a tried-and-true crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients:
- 6 large eggs
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 to 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
- ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp. snipped fresh chives.
- 3 Tbsp. mayonnaise
- Paprika, for garnish
- Salt, to taste
- Chopped, fresh chives, for garnish.
Directions:
- Rinse eggs and place in a small saucepan. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 10-12 minutes. Then, drain and rinse with cold water. Peel eggs and place in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for 15 minutes.
- Halve eggs lengthwise, carefully removing yolks. Place yolks in a bowl and mash with a fork. Mix in mustard, Tabasco, salt, pepper, chives, and mayo.
Fill the center of each egg with approximately 1 ½ teaspoons of the egg-yolk mixture.
