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Robert Apodaca Special user 504 Posts |
I'm not trying to be mean, but I'm planning on having my first performance at a nursing home and I'm trying to narrow down my routine.
So I was wondering if you guys can tell me from experience how reliable the elderly can be? Can they deal cards? can they shuffle? I have some workers that are very volunteer driver, such as Blind Luck and another where a spectator deals. Should I do these acts? Any help appreciated. |
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Personally, I would avoid things that require them to "work." Dealing cards, shuffling, etc...while seemingly simple tasks, can require a great deal of effort on their part given their age, health, possible mental focus, etc... At the least, things like arthritis in the hands make doing normal things a challenge.
There is no reason to even take a chance at possibly embarrassing anyone. And remember, they are NOT children and should not be talked down to, or yelled at (in hopes they can hear). They are just older and deserve total respect, not that you would give them anything else. Why not do things that allow them to just watch and have a good time? There is so much magic out there that can be done that does NOT require one to have any dexterity in order to participate. My opinion? Do something else. Mark. |
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Robert Apodaca Special user 504 Posts |
Thank you for your advice. I will take it into consideration.
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Nicholas Special user I predict that I now have 900 Posts |
I did a show today for an elderly group (age 65+) of about 50. I asked for many volunteers. I just let them know up front what would be required for each demonstration. ex. I need someone to help me with this next experiement...someone who can shuffle a deck of cards like this.) I had no problems and it didn't slow things down at all. I think they appreciated being informed, up front, what it is that they would have to do. Some of the participation elements they could do at their seats (ex. think of a number between 1-100, everyone in the front row hold hands, imagine that these three ropes are the same length, etc.) I also told them that there were three things that they wouldn't find in my show - 1) spotlights 2) dancing show girls 3) anything that would embarasse anyone. Best wishes on your show!!!
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drkptrs1975 Elite user North Eastern PA 452 Posts |
When I do Nursing Homes, I don't do Volunteers, but maybe staff watching.
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Robert Apodaca Special user 504 Posts |
What do you mean staff watching? YOu mean you have people that work there volunteer?
Thanks Nick for your advice. Right now I'm guessing I will keep my particapation to a minimum such as just holding the deck in their hands of choosing a card. I don't want to do something like Jeopardy and find that no one can shuffle cards properly. |
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Edsel Chiu Veteran user Hong Kong / Los Angeles 325 Posts |
Hi Drizz,
I would recommand magic that does not require them to do the "work" as well as visual magic that is easy to understand. Use various color changes and long distance spinners would put a smile on their face I assume. Good luck on your first show! Edsel,
"If there is magic, let it be an art." - William Shakespeare
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Yes...he has people that work there (nursing home staff) assist during the performance. They are more likely "chosen" than actually volunteering.
The residents actually get a kick out of it because they then get to see these familiar faces in another role, laughing with their guard down for a moment. It is a change for them which is always appreciated. Good luck with your show. Let us know how it works out. Mark. |
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MagicAndBlackjack Elite user 442 Posts |
Hey I did one of these over the summer at a nursing home and am volunteering again after Christmas. I would advise you to not do anything that requires them to do more than choose a card/name something out loud or hold onto something. Try to keep the tricks visual and quick. Avoid too many card tricks. If possible, use any trick that is nostalgic for them. I did color changing records and before I even did the trick they smiled and were commenting to each other about how they used to have those. One last thing before I go...if possible, leave them with a gift or something to remember you or their participation in a trick. Anything else? Just PM me.
Good luck, TJ |
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Barry Daugherty Regular user Indiana 133 Posts |
I have performed in nursing homes twice before. I came up with the show that I thought would be good without worrying about volunteers. Then, I made a list of all the volunteers along with the requirements for each. For example:
1 volunteer who needs to remember a card 1 volunteer that needs to be able to shuffle the cards 2 volunteers that will need to hold a string up for me I then passed these requirements on to the staff at the nursing home. They talked with various nurses and figured out who, of the people that would be at the show, would be the best to help out with each effect. They passed the names back to me and before the show, I was introduced to each one so that I would know where they sit. This allowed me to get to the know them better, but also ask if they would mind if I used them during the show in case they'd rather not help out. The point is that the staff knows the abilities of each person better than me. And in one specific case, there was a frail woman in a wheel chair that I would never have asked to shuffle cards. But, the staff said she plays cards every week and does wonders with them. I used her in an effect where she was the magician. She did a wonderful job shuffling, dealing, cutting, etc. and you could tell she appreciated being used for that effect. She was the star. When I came back a couple weeks later, she was still talking about how she was able to find my card. But, I never would have picked her just looking out into the audience and would have missed out on a wonderful opportunity. Just my thoughts if you are able to work with the staff at the nursing home prior to the show. Good luck! Barry |
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Robert Apodaca Special user 504 Posts |
Well, I did my show for them today. Most of it went well. But yeah, there are not as eager to volunteer as the common audience. A handful of effects require at least a volunteer to choose a card. Only twice did people want to volunteer. There were some people in the back of the audience that must of been volunteers or something because they looked about 30. When no one would volunteer I suggested they volunteer but they even would not budge. There was an akward moment before Out of the World where no one would volunteer for it.
I ended up using one lady three times because she was close to me and willing. I even asked one women if should would like to shuffle my invisable deck and she seemed almost offended by it. So yeah, now I know it's best to have a simple visual show for them. |
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Live and learn!
Although you did not get the volunteers, or audience reactions, you might have hoped for, don't think for a moment that your efforts were not appreciated. They were. Elderly people in nursing homes are grateful when others come to them since they can't, for the most part, go out on their own. What a wonderful break in their day and a much needed change of pace. Hopefully you will consider this venue again. You'll learn what you can, and can't, do. After all, you have now cleared your biggest hurdle. Your first try! Mark. |
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jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
I agree with Mark. Now that you've experienced it, it will be easier next time.
If you get the aid of a volunteer, make it one of the staff. Talk with them before the show and get a few volunteers lined up before you even start. Don't even bother with card tricks. A lot of them will have forgotten the card long before you make your amazing discovery. Don't pop any balloons or make any startling noises. And if you have any animals in the show, be prepared to let them pet them at the end of the show. Jim |
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Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts |
Nursing home magic I find is best to be visual
Volunteers use the staff They appreciate what you do so much even if the response is not what you hoped as mentioned above |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I find much of this quite condescending and offensive.
Most of these places are now called "assisted living facilities," not "nursing homes." The term "nursing home" calls up images of tiny bedrooms with soiled bedding and very little activity, or some kind of facility where the residents are called "patients" or "inmates." Just because a person is 65+ and in an assisted living facility, it does not mean that he is either disabled, demented, or impaired in some other way. The only thing you really need to do is to make sure that you treat your volunteers with respect. If you see someone with a walker or a cane, you can be reasonably sure that they will not be good volunteers. Just ask the staff to help you before the show starts. If you do somehow call up a volunteer that is troublesome, handle him or her with dignity, and act like nothing has gone wrong. Chances are, nobody will notice an error.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Tony Webs Regular user 134 Posts |
In England "old people's home" is what they are called, but then what is old ?
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Justin Style Inner circle 2010 Posts |
Hello;
I agree with Bill Palmer. You need to treat people - All People, with dignity and respect, first and foremost. Whenever I go to a Nursing home or Assisted living, I asses the situation first, then I figure out what I am going to do. I always try to do things that don't require to much on their part. If I ask for assistance, I make sure that the person is able; If not then I look for a staff member. After all, it's a lot of fun for the staff person, since they usually work hard all the time and this is a good break for them to have a little fun. And it's fun for the residents to see the staffers in a different light. Just be a nice person, be yourself and they will appreciate that WAY more than fancy tricks. This is of course, just from my 20 years experience doing several hundred performances in these types of venues. The true real way for you to learn what to do, is to do more shows and figure it out along the way. Your heart is in the right place, so that means you already are off to a good start! Keep up the good work and knock ¡¥em dead! Ooops, maybe that was the wrong thing to say ƒº Justin - |
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troppobob Veteran user Crescent Head Australia 372 Posts |
G'day
At these venues I always find a wide range of abilities and I like to arrive early and chat while I set up. Get to know the staff and the people who live there. On most occasions because my performance has been advertised or at least mentioned as being potentially entertaining I find that some extended family are present and this adds to the diversity and the potential volunteers. One thing I learned early was the same thing you noticed Drizz, a lot of people who have been around for a while have learned not to be to eager to be a volunteer in these type of live performances. I use this to my advantage and commence the first effect that requests a volunteer by stating that I have the power not only to read minds but to influence what people will do. I then state that I will cause the audience to look at the floor - pause a bit - and request a volunteer to assist with the next part of the show and most times, most of the audience will look down so they do not look eager to be chosen - it gets a good laugh. Bob Latta (aka Troppo Bob) |
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honus Veteran user 354 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-04-15 03:57, Bill Palmer wrote: Bill, Sorry I'm late to this party, but because of my mother's situation, I currently know more about nursing homes than anyone really should have to. In Illinois, by law, an "assisted living facility" is similar to an apartment complex, with assistance available for activities of daily life (ADLs) as needed, usually for an additional charge. It is licensed under a different act from the Nursing Home act. There are individual units with private baths and kitchenettes. This is typically paid for privately. A "shelter care facility" is licensed under the Nursing Home Act, and provides assistance with ADLs, but not nursing care. These beds may be paid for by Medicaid, but not Medicare. (This is where my mother is now.) A "skilled care facility", also licensed under the Nursing Home Act, provides 24-hour nursing care as well as support for ADLs. These are Medicare-eligible. Knowing your state's terminology and how the facility you're looking at is licensed can go a long way toward telling you what kind of residents you'll meet. |
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DocEdward New user 43 Posts |
I was just about to leave a similar question as the one that started this thread. Glad I decided to search first I have just been asked to perform at a group home for elderly women and all of this will come in helpful. Thanks for answering my question even before I asked (Could that be a form of mentalism going on...?)
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