Then Sings my Song is a book containing two portions. One part is filled with heart warming true stories which honor the lives of seniors who have been placed in assisted living, day programs, or nursing homes. The stories are gleaned from decades of experiences in dealing with and relating to individuals afflicted with physical illness and losses but mostly those coping with dementia. I have been blessed to share life with these individuals in my professional capacity as an administrator activities director and spiritaul director. These precious lives provided me with insight, inspiration and empathy, even in an institutionalized environment. Enjoy my insights based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs which builds truth in our needs for love, belonging, self esteem, self acceptance, even in institutionalized environment. My book is also extremely valuable to families who are experiencing the evidence of decline in their love ones and are worn with care and on't know where to turn and how to deal with true feelings of guilt. But above all this I found something I overlooked. That these individuals drew me to the water they drank when they were thirsty, the food they ate when they were hungry, and the hand they held when they were fearful and lonely. Come sit by the bedside and hear the quiet breath of a soul making their passage from this world into the next, peacefully with dignity and honor. Come hear the laughter out of the rooms of the rooms of the nursing home. Witness a choir being born from the residents in long term care and follow them on the road to entertain oter residents. Come share the holidays, friendships, shopping trips starting with a regular work day milieu and culminating into a village built into the heart of Nursing Homes. A mini-village acknowledged with a reputation of making and achieving. See if you agree with States Surveyors who concluded: "This is the best Activities Director in the State of Maine." Ihave created a handbook for Administrators, Directors, and Corporate Directors. My material is extremely useful to current personnel who want to create a positive change in their workplace. For Activities Directors to understand and motivate residents and show their families dimensions of relationships they never knew existed. Go beyond just hearing a sttory but experience actually have the door open inviting you to enter in. Here you find illustratons and therapeutic interventions without it being just a manual. I illustrate how to comply with State Regulations without being tedious. I provide updates on electronic charting as well as new cultural changes in Long Term Care setting. Visit the second portion of this book where I open my heart to reveal weadnesses of my anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, my codependent care taking, my lack of ego, and poor self esteem. Visit my family of origin and explore what stock you come from and how it affects your life. See a miracle unfold from a forty two year marriage ending in divorce, my home being sold, and how all these wonderful residents and clients came to my aid and still live on in my heart. But most of all I hope that the words of my instructor, from whom I received my Spiritual Directors Certification, william Jarema, also an author, will resonate with you,"Jennifer you need to write this book it will warm hearts and dry many tears." When you hold the book and your eyes cast its' sight upon the pages and your fingers run over the words, may you come to know you were also born with a song to sing. May the one who I found in these lives, in mine, and in the Nursing Home teach you the melody and words to your song, may you sing it loud, sing it strong. THEN SINGS MY SONG, 356 pages, 117,000 words
