Does anyone have any advice to offer on working in old folks homes. I have been ask to perform in one but wonders just what to expect. Are there any particular effects that are recommended to go down well or what to avoid?

Don-G

Hi Don,
A few times each year I'll perform at one of these places.
Sometimes it's a tough place to get much of a reaction from anyone, but they really do appreciate you being there. The best part is that after the show you'll have several of the folks come up and thank you as well as share a story with you about a magician they have seen or know from years gone by. Also be prepared to have a hard time getting someone from the audience to want to help you. They would much rather just watch the show.
For the show, try to stay away from small tricks, remember that a lot of the folks can't see all that well.
Best of luck to you, Bob.

Thanks Bob for your thoughts, I do have a rough idea myself what to expect. Having spent a little time in an old folks home when my mother-in-law was there. I did find it hard work just talking to one or two of them. But has a geriatric myself, I feel that I am going the same way at times.

Don

I just did a gig for a friend's father who is in
an Alzheimer's unit. I honestly did a mix of
stuff that was part-kids party and part stuff
for the staff.

A very tough part of the experience was the fact
that the audience members were all over the map
in terms of capacity - some seemed right there with me,
and others were frankly someplace totally different.

One thing I have done that has gone over well every
time I've done one of these gigs was to make balloon
animals for the guests. Many of these folks have
NEVER had a balloon animal in their lives, and it
was something they didn't expect and very much liked.

--Jack

That's a great idea with the balloons, I can see why. I do not do balloon modelling but I am sure that I manage to learn a couple of simple items. Thanks a lot for that idea.

Don

Simple balloon hats might be easier to learn. And easier for the residents to hang on to. Check out BalloonHQ.Com, especially the Balloon Photos, Columns, and Entertainer's Forum.

Ed

Watch out for latex allergies in Alzheimer's units. But there is no such thing as an "old folk's home." Ther are, however, 3 different classes of assisted living homes. From the easiest to work down: Assisted living, here most residents are fully aware and take care of themselves but do need some help.
Nursing homes where the care given is greater. These residents are sick or too feeble to care for themselves.
Last is the Alzheimer's patients. These are like little children and usually don't react at all to the magic.

There are a few watch-outs for this type of show. I use my Father as the example. He tends to blurt out the supposed solution. Some what related is that I have performed
two shows for a cross section of age but also with disabilities. I found that after the
show you are engaged with those who have watched magicians in the past. It is good to be prepared with a few stories of the common magic tricks and magicians. Also I found that the parlor tried and true work very well. From the staff determine who would be good to bring up as an assistant. I used the change bag to great effect. Also color works well, stratosphere, silks (the larger the better), Big Cards, REALLY BIG CARDS, work
with many card tricks. Also the Balloons are always a way to interact personally.
You will have fun.
Regards,
Leinad

There are senior citizen apartment complexes that have their own golf courses, local centers where neighborhood seniors meet for lunch, there are assisted living centers, and there are nursing homes. All of these have people with different degrees of awareness. Which ever one you will be working at be sure to use a PA system, because none of them hear well. Do not use any hip lingo, or expressions, because they are not hip at all. ALL senior citizens watch wheel of fortune, and jeopardy every single day, and not much of anything else, so none of your best jokes will work unless they are about Vanna White. The good thing is that no one pays much attention to them, and they will applaud anything. In the middle of your show you will probibly notice that 1/2 of them are sleeping, because it is usually their nap time.

Dear Don-G,

There are a lot of wonderful suggestions that have been offered so far on this meaningful thread --with more great suggestions to come from other seasoned pros.

Below are a few of my own...

Try to do some mingling magic close-up before the show so they interact with you, get to like you, laugh with you. Use this time to observe their behaviors, physical health and condition, notice hand and limb deformities, their personalities --who's "with it", who's not --who has a sense of humor, who doesn't. Pre-select your show volunteers during this close-up magic time. Most importantly use this time to learn (and remember) their names, then be sure to say their names repeatedly throughout your show and when yo do so, look them in the eyes. Encourage their fellow residents to applaud and cheer them for helping out --as they come up and as they return to their seat. Do not embarrass belittle or humiliate them -instead build them up, make them feel cared for and appreciated... and smart. No cheap jokes their expense --instead let them laugh at your antics, as yo perform effects, consider telling a story about "when you were young..." Ask them to remember how life was when they were young --when the cars moved slower and families gathered round tvs to hear Jack Benny, Edgar Bergen, Orson Welles.... did you know (you might task them) that Orson was a great magician?" Involve and venerate your audience. Give them a warm thank you for inviting you at the close of your show --give credit to the organizer that brought yo in, walk amongst the audience after the show to shake their hands, look in their eyes and thank them for sharing this fun time with you. The last nursing home I did (actually assisted residents), the organizer introduced me to a women that was alert and nimble and told me that she was soon going to be 103, then told me that this elder person enjoyed my show so much that she insists I come back to perform my show again, for her upcoming 103rd birthday! I shook her hand, looked into her eyes, smiles and thanked her, letting her know I was honored to meet her and know that she so enjoyed my show.... a mutually rewarding experience for all.

Jonathan

PS: The suggestion made by at least two other Café members, above, to use large and very visual props is an excellent one. Make sure you use a mic system (that works), even if yo are in a small room and would not "normally" use one. Your audience and the organizer will appreciate your professionalism and thoughtfulness... plus it will truly help every hear what it is yo will be saying. Consider incorporating some old time instrumental music in the background during your show --if and when it is appropriate (Chaplin, classical, elephant walk, rag time...)

Most of all, have FUN with them, genuinely enjoy being there and be "likable".

In this way, you will undoubtedly be fondly remembered and called back, in the years to come.

..and "do" let us know how it goes

Thanks for all the replies so far they all add to the plot. I think that I should point out to one or two that I am performing in England and not in America. So any reference to American material, such as Vanna White, not only would I have no idea who she is, neither and would they. This also applies to TV shows and types of homes etc. But many thanks for the info, it all helps.

Don

During my early, 'barnstorming' days, I did several nursing home shows for the Cincinnati Recreation Commission. What worked best was my escape act (with fellow performers doing the binding). The elderly were well familiar with the exploits of Houdini and enjoyed what I did. After one show, I was approached by the father of Harold Rice, the 'Silk King.' We chatted about his son's creations and magic in general.

I have a lot of experience doing these shows and I perform mostly mentalism. These shows have been filling a lot of gaps in my calender the past couple of years.This is an industry that you should become familiar with if you're going to perform there. They're not called old folks homes anymore and in fact it's a disrespectful term. They are retirement communities and most of them are wonderful places.

There are several levels of care - independent living, assisted care, Alzheimer's & dementia care. I primarily work in independent living communities and occasionally in assisted living communities. Some have a different levels within the same community, so the residents can make an easy transition from one level to another if necessary.

Like I mentioned, I primarily do a mentalism show which is perfect. They LOVE it. I'm told time and time again that the magicians that come in treat the residents like children.

I've elsewhere on this board that some people think mentalism is completely wrong for these groups and it's just not true. Now I don't work in Alzheimer communities and certainly wouldn't try mentalism there. But why does mentalism work? Because most of these people remember Dunninger, Kreskin and Kuda Bux. The concept of that type of entertainment isn't new to them.

Here's some tips:

1. Be able to work surrounded.
You never know what the conditions will be. Some times I get a nice performing area and other times, even though I've sent them suggestions for an arrangement of the group, I've had people almost all around me.

2. Have a sound system.
Also mentioned earlier. Most of these places have very nice sound systems, but others do not. If they can't hear you, then what's the point. I carry a Fender system and a Shure wireless hand held mic. There are a lot of times I just plug my mic into their system.

3. Don't get people up to volunteer.
Doing a mentalism show requires 100% audience participation, but I've re-staged most of my show so that no one ever has to come up. I always go to them. It just takes a little forethought. Now I'm not saying you can never get anyone up, but always be prepared that it's not possible.

It's also helpful to talk to the activity director before the show and find out who they think will be a good volunteer. I've seen some people walk-in, looking perfect, thinking they're going to be a good volunteer, but find out they've had a stroke and cannot talk.

4. Be your own warm-up act.
As mentioned by someone above, talk to them before you start. This may or may not include doing magic. I never do perform anything before the show, but I do talk to them so they get a chance to know ME and like me before the show starts. This also gives you the opportunity to see who may be able to help you during the show.

Typically shows don't start on time. You may be booked for 2:30 and that's when people start walking in. You'll get a few early people, but don't leave their room until the start time.

5. Get the laughing - early & often! Nuff said.

6. Time Limit
My recommended time is 30 - 45 minutes. Some activity directors will insist on 60 minutes because they want to make it worth their while to get the room set up, get the residents over to the show and then get the room back to the way it was.

Some things to look out for:

In the USA - have a W-9 you can send over right away. Most places need them before they can request a check. I have one on my computer that I can email or fax over right away.

I never contract these, but I do send over a performance agreement that doesn't require a signature. It just specifies the date, location, time,etc.

Be prepared for a low attendance. This is not because of you, but rather the activity director. While your appearance will typically appear on the monthly calender, it's really up to the activity director to promote your show the day of the show. I've arrived and the activity director forgot there was going to be a show that day and they scramble around trying to get an audience for you.

Final bit of advice - like ANY OTHER SHOW - have fun! Project energy and a good time and they will fall in love with you. Oh yeah, one more thing - if they love you, prepare to spend about 30 minutes after the show talking to them because they will want to talk with you.

Mentalist Sam has some good advice. My experience is that your first contact should be with the Activities Director. Most homes have weekly, monthly, and annual events. All of this starts and ends with the Activities Director. She will tell you what they can afford (don't expect big bucks in this market, in fact any bucks at all are appreciated, at least where I live). She also knows the demographics (age and awareness of everybody) and how well attended the event may or may not be.

Once you have the knowledge you are way ahead of the game. Factor in all of what's been discussed before but I would only add the following:

1. Due to their diminished hearing speak loudly and SLOWLY. It doesn't have to be real slow but large words with special lingo spoke quickly is going to lose most of them.

2. Due to their diminished visual ability use routines that are large and visible. Silk routines do very well.

3. On annual events, I bring in an illusion where I can use one of their staff members, not the CEO or anything. One of the nurses or med passers. They become a celebrity to the rest of the staff and as well as the tenants and the stories will go on for days as she walks around her duties. This will get back to the Activities Director and CEO and other jobs will come about as they talk to their peers.

4. Think about where these people were when they were younger. Many of them remember Blackstone, Dante, Dunninger, and others. Do routines and refer to these greats. Many of these people have seen them perform and almost all of them at least have heard of them and remember them. This will bring back childhood memories which older people seem to access more often than younger people.

5. Keep your scripts and routines simple to follow. This is no place for the 'Knight's Tour' or 'Magic Square' routine.

6. And after you perform, go out and talk to the people. I have met some incredible people with incredible stories. And they are so eager to share with somebody.

In the end this can be a great experience. Like Sam said, "Have Fun".

Nursing homes, and neighborhood senior centers definitely do not have a lot of money, but (at least around here) there are senior citizen communities where everyone in it has a new Mercedes, and a home at the beach. Those folks do have money, and can afford to pay your regular fee. At nursing homes, and community senior centers you are lucky to get $150 a show.

I investigated these a few years back and discovered that most have $50 for a visiting entertainer (if they pay anything at all). $100 is very high end and rare for them. Most entertainers they have visit are local retired individuals who play music for free. Just speaking for my area. I quickly moved onto investigating other markets.

What they can afford is probably dependent on location. I get anywhere from $100 - $200 per show in my area. It's worth your while if you book the shows like I do - when there are gaps in your calender and you can book several of them close together. You're not going to get rich or be able to support yourself in this market.

I do all my bookings with postcards. I have a mailing list of about 150 communities and send it out about 3 times a year. I don't follow up with calls. Every mailing brings in at least 10 shows. I probably could get more if I called, but you're already going in for less than your usual price, so why take an even further loss.

Activity directors are overworked and underpaid for what they do. There is a big turn-over for that position, so you can continue to work for the same communities with different people hiring you. Also, some communities are so big, they have it divided up and have different activity directors for each division.

This market is win-win situation. Whether you're doing it for the money or not, it's a great place to do a professional show and get instant gratification from people who truly appreciate live entertainment. If you're breaking in new material - this is one of the best markets for it. They're not push-overs and are not shy about telling you something negative. What happens in this market stays in this market. If you put on a bad show, your corporate clients aren't going to hear about it.

Also the market is growing. These communities are growing and new ones are going up all the time. Baby boomers are getting older and several years from now you will have a very secure market to work.

I do them all the time for $150, and if it is a retirement community (retired doctors) I usually get about $300. It is mid week money, and the people really appreciate you. Yes a lot of senior citizen entertainers play the accordian, and sing the oldies for $50, but they consider me special entertainment, or at least more special than a Karaoke singer.

I really enjoy working the senior market. All of the tips above have been spot on.

I know it's been mentioned here before, but for anyone interested in pursuing this market, this marketing e-course is very good and priced way too cheap:

http://www.louiefoxx.com/perform4seniors/

Joe Libby
San Antonio, TX
http://www.joelibby.net

Al,

You bring up some important points. Yes, it's mid-week money. What else are you doing on Tuesday at 2:30 in the afternoon? Gives me a great excuse not to mow the lawn.

And your other point, which I didn't consider, is typically you are being brought in as special entertainment. Time and time again I've heard people thanking the activity director or mentioning to me that they've been asking for something different in the way of entertainment. Most places don't have the budget on a monthly basis for this, but they'll find the money for special occasions.