Hamilton Park Health Care Center in Jersey City has been providing disabled senior citizens with the opportunity to participate in the performance, creative production, and the viewing of theme-based creative arts variety shows.
Under the leadership of Arnold Idelson, director of therapeutic recreation, the shows utilize familiar songs arranged in interesting, fun, and entertaining skits. Most of the songs are a representation of the seniors’ past memories.
On May 31, 2006, the first variety show was performed, themed “Stores and Other Community Places.”
The theme utilized songs pertinent to eight stores, including a florist, pet store, candy store, luncheonette, toy store, music store, boutique, and a produce stand, along with two community locations: a school and Fort Dix Army Training Base.
The show was performed a second time on June 14, 2006, at the Atrium at Hamilton Park, an assisted living facility.
Idelson, who is a licensed music therapist and therapeutic recreation specialist, created the theme, wrote the program, designed the costumes and theater props, and conceived the concept of creating storefront art panels, representing the scenery.
The panels, costumes, and props were made by the recreation therapists and aides with groups of residents on each floor of the facility, as a creative arts therapy activity.
Rachel Crawford, music therapist, and Idelson worked together as co-music directors for the shows.
The show utilized many of the staff members at the Hamilton Park Health Care Center for its production, including art therapists Masko Ohashi, Alexandra Glaser, and Raquel Pessutti; recreation therapist Zoila Chacon; music therapist Rachel Crawford; recreation aides Maylene Tepperman, Rena Thurston, Bernice Harvin, Nancy Chacon, and Viviana Roman; housekeeper Rachel Munoz; intern Amanda Enrico Kean, and recreation leader Vicky Warn.
Residents who performed include Antoinette Slukas, who dressed as a doll to sing “Oh You Beautiful Doll,” and Rose Gottilla, who portrayed a baseball coach. Resident Mario Lani portrayed a dog for the song “How Much Is That Doggie In the Window?”
Resident Eleanor Russ portrayed a traveling salesperson, and Daniel Valentin was the candy man. His battery-operated wheelchair was the candy man’s vehicle.Regularly scheduled
Music, art, movement, and education are regularly scheduled monthly activities at the Hamilton Park Health Care Center.
The therapy of performing and partaking in a creative arts variety show is the achievement of increased leisure satisfaction.
The seniors who participate in these programs receive the health benefits of creative expression, meaningful use of leisure time, increased self-esteem, improved mood states, increased cognitive and physical stimulation, and increased socialization during both the production of the show and the performance.
According to Idelson, it isn’t only senior citizens who benefit from the variety shows. Families who view the performances also receive the benefits of obtaining an inspiring, mood uplifting, and entertaining experience.