Strolling Entertainer
Strolling entertainment for seniors is a good idea for some types of entertainment. Here are some common examples.
Guitar and voice
For a nursing home, you wander the corridors singing and playing acoustic guitar, unamplified. Be careful not to strain your voice. I know this from experience. You will find it to be an issue because we normally tend to push our volume a bit more when the ambient noise level rises and or we are trying to project to the back of a room.
You can go room to room and visit with each resident in their room for a song or stand just outside. If a resident is sleeping or too sick etc. the staff should tell you ahead of time. Be sure to ask about that before you start. Nursing and assisted living facilities often have day rooms or smaller sun rooms where you can stop and put on a mini concert of a few songs for a group gathered there before continuing.
You can also stroll and entertain a large group in a single room.
 My pal Marc (on left) will stroll about the room in a large gathering with a wireless guitar and microphone set up to amplify both from a speaker set up on the stage or where ever the focus of entertainment would be.
He can be closer to the folks in the audience and apparently the proximity to the audience and eye contact and interaction works well.
Sometimes a strolling entertainer is accompanied by a staff member who preceeds you to see if residents are interested in a room visit or not, or you can be left to judge for yourself how intrusive you should be.
Strolling entertainment other than a nursing home would be different and much would depend on where you are. Sometimes a renaissance fair or a private or corporate party will hire strolling musicians.
Keep the music age appropriate and situation appropriate.
Violinist or Fiddler
Much of what has been written in the section for guitarist/ vocalists above would apply here as well. A violinist can create a more subtle and soothing atmosphere and can be more appropriate for a quieter area.
It can be a wonderful surprise to hear a beautiful violin piece. They can be very upbeat as well. Seniors, children and all ages can appreciate good music. A good example of this is on Denya's website www.denya.us
She is a wonderful fiddler!
Accordian player strolling about
Balloon Twister
 A balloon twister is an artist creating things from balloons.
This can be a fun entertainment for all ages.
Going room to room in a nursing home and creating balloon hats or balloon animals for residents can be entertaining and put a sparkle in anyones eye.
Pet visits.
Pet visits are great for the elderly.
So many people in nursing homes and senior facilities have lost their pets and really feel happy when they can pet a cat or dog again.
It's an expression of love that's often missing from their lives.
Don't bring the barnyard but bring whatever pets are manageable and can be trusted.
Clean animals that are trained and controllable as well as friendly but not too exciteable are best.
How could you not want to pet this beautiful dog?
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