Music helps nursing home residents recover their stride and balance

By Alvin S. Hornstein

Walking through the corridors of Glendale Uptown Home, I hear soft strumming and a female voice singing “You Are My Sunshine.”Music from a radio?

No, it’s a new form of groundbreaking therapy performed by certified music therapist Erin Bullard, designed to help recovering patients walk and maintain balance.

Nursing home residents atthe Northeast facility (it was called Golden Slipper before it was bought by Glendale last November) appear to recover more quickly with this new therapy, introduced here by Bullard, a certified neurologic music therapistwho trained at Colorado State University.

Bullard believes this type of therapy provides a “steady beat” that assists and encourages patients with orthopedic problems, in walking or balancing, “to correct irregularities in their gait.

”Working with a physical therapist, Bullard uses these techniques for a variety of patient conditions. Some are bedridden; others have had knee or hip replacements.

Therapist Eben Vaise helps Edith Bass, of Northeast Philadelphia, from her walker, as Bullard strums on an autoharp, then softly begins “You Are My Sunshine.”Bass slowly begins to walk to the beatof the music.“It feels nice and easy to walk to the rhythm,”she says. “I like it.

Art classes fill up at Center in the Park;
funds sought for expanding program

By Karen E. Wheeler

Entering the foyer and reception area at Center in the Park, you can’thelp noticing the beautiful artwork. It was created in the Center’s art classes.

Center in the Park, at 5818 Germantown Ave., is a non-profitcommunity centerfocusing on the needs of men and women 55 and older.

The arts program was developed more than 10 years ago in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts, seeking grants and funding to help older adults find a creative outlet through classes in painting, sculpture, drama and music — no experience necessary.“

Expression of creativity helps with the aging process,”says Lynn Fields Harris,executive director of Center in the Park. “It touches the mind, body and spirit.”

Music helps nursing home residents recover their stride and balance Art classesfill up at Center in the Park; funds sought for expanding program listings of arts-related activities and articles about local artists and cultural projects.

Another Older Americans Month tradition in Philadelphia is the 22nd annual Senior Games, the week of May 21 at a variety of locations, featuring competitions, lessons and demonstrations in what thecity calls “physical and mental sports.”

Once again, in honor of Older Americans Month, Philadelphians 100 or older will be honored at the Mayor’s Centenarian Birthday Party — a luncheon and program with performances. An estimated 400 centenarians live in Philadelphia, and 50 to 60 are expected, with their families, to attend the event from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Friday, May 18, at  Penn’s Landing Caterers, 1301 S. Columbus Blvd.