Live music returning to care homes

Entertainers will play outside while residents remain inside to maintain physical distance

After months of being cooped up, it can be a challenge to keep residents of Niagara long-term-care and retirement homes active and entertained.

“They’ve been in their apartments since just after St. Patrick’s Day,” said Lori Henry, recreation co-ordinator at the Anchor Pointe retirement home in St. Catharines.

“They’ve been in there for a while.” Workers have been organizing activities for residents within the facility, including broadcasting workout routines and bingo games on the public address system, while playing music and holding themed activities for them.

“It’s a lot of work, but the staff is all working together to do it. It’s little things here and there to keep them active,” Henry said. “We try to do everything we can because it’s hard for them. They’re not seeing their families.”

But for the first time since the pandemic began, residents of at least two Niagara seniors homes will have something to look forward to.

Both Anchor Pointe and Plymouth Cordage retirement home in Welland have organized outdoor concerts for residents this week.

Musician Diane Unger said she is looking forward to finally having an opportunity to see the faces of her audiences as she performs — although they’ll be watching her through the windows of their rooms.

Henry said she initially hoped to organize a large outdoor concert to entertain residents, who would watch the performers from the comfort and safety of their rooms.

“We were going to have an Anchor Pointe-palooza,” Henry said.

She initially planned to bring four acts to the home, and allow them to perform on the grounds surrounding all sides of the facility “so everybody could go out onto their balconies and hear some music.”

But her plans had to be scaled down to ensure the safety of participants.

“There are so many things that you don’t even think about,” she said.

Ultimately, Henry said, the show was reduced to just two acts, giving the musicians room to remain isolated from each other.

Country music singer Brad Boland will perform on one side of a building, while Unger and her musical partner Gary Kares will entertain residents on the opposite side.

It’s their first gig in months.

“It’ll be great to just bring some happiness and joy into these guy’s lives,” said Unger, who used to perform at seniors homes a few times a week prior to the lockdown. “They’ve been so isolated. It’s so sad.”

A day after the show at Anchor Pointe, Unger and Kares have been booked to perform outside at Plymouth Cordage in Welland.

Unger said similar performances are planned for the month to come.