The music group “Les P’tites ouvreuses” performs at the Saint Jean Hélios nursing home as part of a cultural health program.
A cultural health program has been established between the Saint Jean Hélios nursing home, which accommodates people with Alzheimer’s disease, and the group “Les P’tites ouvreuses.” From February to October 2020, the musicians perform one afternoon per week with the residents.
Artistic creation centered around health
Each week, residents are invited to explore, search, and create around the theme “chic guinguette,” including music, dances, or even poetic stories. “We improvise with the residents to find themes, rhythms, and lyrics. Or we revive existing ones that we integrate amongst them. It’s like rehearsing to see with what speed, articulation, or arrangement they will be most effective,” explains Cedric Gonnet, a member of the group Les P’tites Ouvreuses.
An artistic and participative activity that encourages residents to take action and maintain cognitive faculties through creation. “Music and movement allow them to maintain cognitive abilities. When we take action, we gather information that helps us to be constructed and have a form of autonomy. This is what we work on with them,” he continues.
“A gift for life”
These creations, made with the residents, then become the musical, dance, and poetry repertoire for the chic guinguette concert. “An interactive ball” which was supposed to take place on September 5 but was canceled due to current health conditions. “Les P’tites Ouvreuses” decided to make the video “a gift for life” (an excerpt from the concert) to replace the event. DVDs and CDs were also redistributed in the nursing home to “stimulate the desire for reunions and stay active in our health mission,” explains Cédric Gonnet.
