Creative Aging Memphis

My mom spent her last year at Belmont Village in Memphis. Watching all the residents respond to the presentations provided through Creative Aging opened my eyes and heart to a whole new appreciation of the work CA does. They create a synergistic lift to the artist and elder citizens of the Mid South every day. Full disclosure: I was on the board of CA for over 10 years and only learned the true value of the work through my mother's experience, and that of her community. There is no place better to place your gifts.

Creative Aging provides seniors unique, creative experiences that helps them maintain vitality and overall well-being. The organization and its Director, Meryl Klein, demonstrate exceptional dedication in serving older adults,and it shows in the number, quality and variety of programs that are delivered.

Creative Aging is a wonderful organization that I've been privileged to work with for the past 10 years.
It affords me the experience of working with diverse groups of seniors, and connecting with them in a very personal, even intimate, way. The best shows are when I feel a deep connection being made between those listening and the music. Sometimes they will sing, or just move with their own particular styling and it's rather thrilling to see it, feel it, and be a part of it. I think the residents of these senior facilities are being provided a look at their past lives & loves & passions; presenting music is a very real way of connecting these dots, as music is so reminiscent of earlier times, so nostalgic, and also
spiritual in its own way. I'm thankful for these times of sharing, and I can only hope I am getting better at it as I age. It's such fun to share with these folks. They inspire me to nurture.

Center for Creative Aging is a gift to our community.

Creative Aging not only enhances the lives of so many seniors in our community but also supports so many individual artists in the community by using them for all the programming presented in the senior citizen facilities, community centers and other venues that they service.

Bringing access to the arts to our seniors is a great mission. I love being a part of this great organization.

I love volunteering for Creative Aging. Bringing arts to Elders! Beat in Memphis.

Creative Aging fills a unique role in the community and they do it well. They brighten and enrich the lives of seniors by bringing arts performances and arts participation experiences to assisted living communities and other locations where seniors gather. I've seen firsthand how this makes a difference in the lives of people they serve. It also supports the artist community in the Memphis area. As Joe Birch would say about Creative Aging, it's a win/win for all involved.

I believe in non-profits. They do the work that everyone says needs to be done. Non-profits take the ideas, recruit the volunteers, roll-up sleeves and get down to business. Creative Aging Memphis is one of those non-profits. The unique thing is they actually serve two diverse communities: seniors and artists. In what I think is a brilliant idea, Creative Aging figured out how to educate, entertain and involve seniors by hiring artists, including musicians, dancers, singers, potters, story-tellers, painters and more. The two groups need each other in order to grow, thrive and maybe even survive. And Creative Aging puts them together. I am thrilled to work with, volunteer for, and support wholly, Creative Aging Memphis. I am proud that Memphis is a city full of seniors and artists, all of whom we need, and through Creative Aging, we also cherish.

Creative Aging does an excellent job promoting the health of older adults through its arts programming for seniors. The musical performances entertain the senior audiences but more importantly, they evoke responses that are essential the the seniors' emotional, cognitive and physical well-being. Over the last 10 years I have consistently been impressed by their services and impact.

Looking into the eyes of a senior adult who is mesmerized by music is a small taste of heaven. Bringing the arts to those who can no longer access those once enjoyed activities is what Creative Aging does best. Blending the right mix of caring and compassion and orchestrating an event that transports senior adults back to a time that was perhaps more gracious to them brings joy to thousands every year. Whether music artisans or storytellers, senior adults love to reconnect with memories. And watching them make this incredible connection, watching them come alive when they hear an old familiar tune or hear a story that they knew as a child, this wonderment is contagious. I have seen this in action and I am always amazed!

I am a member of a Senior Center where artists from Creative Aging often entertain. They provide well known talented local artists for the entertainment of our members, many of whom are limited in their social activities.

Creative Aging is a non-profit organization that accomplishes two worthy goals. First of all, it provides a wide variety of artistic programs and on-hands craft activities to a diverse population of seniors citizens. The performances are given in senior communities throughout Shelby County. Secondly, Creative Aging employs local artists who give hundreds of performances each year to thousands of senior citizens. Thus, both local artists and senior citizens benefit from this unique organization.

At our community, our goal is for all activities to be meaningful and purposeful. Creative Aging helps us achieve that goal by offering wonderful performances that engage our seniors and fantastic workshops that bring out the creativity in each of our residents. Never disappointed, the talent that Creative Aging brings to our residents is always professional while delighting our residents and engaging them in meaningful activities. Other communities may say "we can hire performers ourselves" but Creative Aging is much, much more than performances. They bring access to the arts that our residents would no have the opportunity to engage in otherwise.

We have utilized Creative Aging as an entertainment source for our seniors, for many years...upwards of 8.
They are easy to work with in every single way, whether it be the staff, the entertainers, or even their happy volunteers.
I'm sure we will continue a great working relationship for many years to come!

Performing and visual arts groups continually talk about the importance of audience participation or audience engagement. If you were to visit a senior community where a performance or workshop by the Memphis-based Creative Aging was under way, you’d experience the quintessential audience engagement. Here, in a non-traditional setting, artists are up-close and personal – whether musicians, storytellers, painters or weavers. Their work evokes memories, feelings, movement and expressions of joy. Such engagement of seniors offers a sense of pleasure and decreases stress, isolation, loneliness and promotes memory health. You couldn’t find a more appreciative audience not to mention the dedication of the artists.

Creative Aging brings smiles to faces; employs young and old talent throughout the city; reunites the elderly with fond memories through music, painting, dramatic readings and the arts in general. Creative Aging is an organization that I am proud to serve.

Creative Aging continues to grow providing more services to seniors in the Greater Memphis area. Creative Aging is unique in that it is the only organization that partners with professional artists and educators to present arts through live productions and hands-on workshops in senior communities.

I am very involved with Memphis-area non-profits, so when I met the folks from Creative Aging a couple of years ago I asked, "What can I do?" That's how I became a board member. And I've done a lot since then, not because I am particularly wonderful, but because they are. The concept of fostering creativity in our senior friends and neighbors is a must. Staying vital, interested, informed and entertained is something we work for our entire lives...not just at 20-something. Add to that the fact that by offering the arts to seniors, Creative Aging also supports the artistic community and you have a win-win. I am humbled by the chance to do something meaningful and lasting...and fun! My dream is for everyone to get to be a senior served by Creative Aging.

This non-profit is a great vehicle for allowing the Memphis area's many talented seniors an opportunity to perform and offers those looking for entertainers a large and diverse resource.

Hello, my name is Lisa Shurden. I am the Civic Affairs Senior Associate for HealthSpring, a Cigna company. HealthSpring cares about its community and seniors. We are proud to be the Premier Sponsor of Creative Aging where they are making a difference in the lives of thousands of seniors through the arts. I am proud to be afflilated with Creative Aging in making a difference in the Memphis community.

I was blessed to witness a wheelchair bound nursing home resident enjoy the music from a Creative Aging performer. The lady had the most beautiful smile while tapping her fingers and moving her feet. Her joy brought tears to my eyes and warmed my heart.

I have been associated with Creativie Aging for several years now. The group is so dedicated to improving the lives of Seniors in the Mid-south. It is a pleasure to be a part of this great organization. The programs bring a lot of joy to the residents and it add tremendously to their lives. I had the opportunity to play at an independent living facility and one woman told me that live music gives them so much to look forward to. I always have a warm feeling when I leave a performance, whether I am the performer or a spectator because it is easy to see the difference in the residents when they have a great "Arts" experience. It's definitely food for their souls.

Creative Aging has been an invaluable resource for me in providing quality entertainers for our seniors. I can always depend on any artist I request through this wonderful organization to be top notch!

This is one of the best non-profit organizations in the Mid-South! The impact these creative aging artists have on seniors in the community is absolutely priceless.

Recently, I attended a performance by one of our artists and was once again excited to see the residents dance and clap in time with the music. What a joy to see the interaction between the performers and their elderly audience. The excitement and enthusiasm was incredible. We need to ensure that these performance not only continue but grow exponentially over the years to benefit our elderly friends and family members.

At first I was skeptical about this program. I thought that I could do it on my own just like I had aways done without the assistance from Creative Aging Midsouth. But after working with Meryl and Barbara I have realized that I need this program. It helps with the cost especiallly with a small activity budget. It also has a long list of quality and diversed entertainners to choose from. But best of all, Creative Aging MidSouth has saved my life more than once when some of the entertainners had an emergency at the last minute and could not honor their committment. Barbara was very helpful in sending replacements. You can not get that kind of service any where else. Thank you so very much! Tony Sovian

The most rewarding part of being a Board Member is to watch the performances at Nursing Faiclities and see the absolute joy in in the eyes of older adults who are engaged in the performance. Those with dementia whose remote memory is still intact seemd mezmorized. Hearing something familiar and recalling memories of times past is both exciting and healing. This transformation is truly amazing; at the last performance I had the honor of attending, one lady sang along with most every song. As I watched her sing and clap her hands to the music, I had to believe that no matter what she is facing in the future, today held treasures beyond belief.

Lynn Doyle

I work with Creative Aging MidSouth as a musician and it’s has been a blessing for me in a thousand ways. I see firsthand the great work of this organization. Many of the residents of these facilities don’t have a lot to look forward to in life so when I see a smile on a face with a mind so far from reality or a person with a physical disability move to the beat of a song…I see a miracle. Music, songs and interaction with someone so far away is universal. It is God’s light shining thru and I’m so humbled to be a small part of that. To bring a fond memory to a patient or resident of a Nursing home or retirement facility is worth more all the gold this world holds. I’ve learned that you’re working for something much bigger than yourself. It makes me so happy if I ever bring a smile to a person less fortunate than myself. To say it’s a privilege is an understatement. My simple words can never describe the joy it brings to my heart. I’m truly blessed to be a part of Creative Aging. Growing older is not an exclusive club, it’s a party to which we are all invited and we’ll attend someday. I’ll do my best to help them enjoy the journey.
Rick Nethery / Memphis Tn. 10/22/12

Every year, Creative Aging brings joy to more than 4,000 older adults by bringing some of Memphis' favorite artists to perform for them where they live, ensuring even the frailest can benefit from the arts. It's a moving experience to watch people who usually are not responsive get up to dance, or dance in their wheelchairs, or sing. The artists are great about engaging audience members one-on-one.

Creative Aging is truly a wonderful organization with the unique
opportunity to touch the lives of seniors in so many ways.  Through
innovative arts, they engage the senses of many of our seniors who are
unable to initiate interaction, but so deeply need to be stimulated
through venues such as musical performers and other talented artists.
It is heart warming to watch their spirits lift when they are drawn
into an activity which engages their mind and spirit and to see the
expressions on their faces when they are touched by an uplifting
performance by a Creative Aging artist.

Creative Aging is a great organization. The availability of talented entertainers right at your fingertips is very nice! I have not had one bad experience with Creative Aging. Our residents love the performers. Everyone we have booked has been polite and professional.

Creative Aging is the most wonderful service for allowing easy and affordable access to the talented people in our area who are willing to share these talents with residents of senior residential communities: assisted living, independent living, and nursing homes. Bringing quality talent into these communities through the locally available artists is an integral part of offering dynamic activity programming. Creative Aging no only makes this more affordable, but streamlines the process in order to provide easy access. I would highly recommend Creative Aging to anyone providing programming for senior adults.

I am writing to commend an outstanding nonprofit-- Creative Aging Memphis. My family has greatly benefited from their programs. My mother is a resident of a nursing facility served by Creative Aging Memphis. She has physical limitations in addition to dementia. The easily accessible, free musical performances provided to her and the other residents by Creative Aging Memphis are an important part of her life and mine. The music engages, brightens and calms her in a way very few things now can. Listening to the performances together and seeing the benefits my mother experiences brings me joy as well. Thank you Creative Aging Memphis!

I know first hand the awesomeness of Creative Aging and what they provideto the elderly community. The performances and workshops is a positive experience for the seniors and their families. Giving them access to the arts is invaluable. I have performed many times at most of the senior facilites in Memphis and the joy and feedback from the residents is priceless and it also enhances the work day for the staff as they watch their clients have a ball. It feels the heart to see smiles on those who have left their homes and making a new home at these facilites and the music and workshops gives them a good chance to settle in better and meet new friends. Thanks CAM

As the Director of the largest senior center in Memphis, I have first hand knowledge of this great organization since its inception. From musicians to ballet to weaving to telling your personal story with "hands of time", my seniors have enjoyed it all!!! The artists are so friendy and work very hard to engage the seniors.

Experiencing the joy of seeing my grandmother "Gama" celebrate her birthday with a band playing for her, her family and friends in the nursing facility that she lived in was priceless. After seeing how much this meant to so many Seniors, I wanted to be part of such an organization that brought so much happiness. Shortly after my "Gama's" birthday, I was asked if I would be interested in being a Board Member of Creative Aging Memphis. I couldn't say "yes" fast enough and that was six years ago. In six years, I have seen Seniors move and grove to some of Memphis' most prominent musicians to reading stories written in creative writing workshops by Seniors who thought they would never be able to tell their story just to name a couple of ways the arts have not only touched but made the lives of Seniors. Creative Aging Memphis not only is providing arts to our Seniors, but Creative Aging Memphis also pays these artists for their performances and workshops putting dollars back in the arts. This wonderful organization is a win-win for everyone involved: Seniors, Artists and those of us privilaged to be part of this great non-profit...Creative Aging Memphis.

I have seen first hand the effect that Creative Aging has on the community. It is a joy to see the faces light up with excitement with each new project undertaken.

This organization goes over and beyond what it can to assist the needs of the elderly.

I work with many clients in Memphis, most of them doing good work to make our community a better place. Creative Aging stands out to me because the good they do is pure benevolence. No one benefits from CAM's fund raising, their programs or their outreach but the people in care facilities that they serve. Fueled almost exclusively by volunteer power, CAM puts real art in these facilities, engaging the residents in workshops and performances and letting them participate in the arts. I've had loved ones in care homes in other cities, without access to this type of enrichment, and the places they lived lacked the spice and spark of the facilities I've visited that benefit from CAM's programs.

As a singer/artist, I can't think of a more precious gift than to provide musical entertainment for the residents served though Creative Aging. The ability to "reach out" and connect with the residents through songs and music is always the highlight of my day. I can't think of a better way to make a difference in the lives of others.

As the Director of Foxbridge Assisted Living Community and before that with Alzheimer's Day Services of Memphis, I can tell you what a wonderful service CAM provides for those with Alzheimer's and related disorders. When the CAM artist connects with the Foxbridge residents in our memory care cottage, the residents are singing, dancing, and clapping. These artists always connect and provide a good time which means for us a very successful day for our residents. Music brings out the inner person and helps them remember a good time, words of a song, or just that things are okay. The CAM artists are very much appreciated and asked back many times. The service CAM provides to our residents through their talented artists and easy scheduling, makes new memories each time they perform.

I have the distinct privilege of being associated with Creative Aging Mid-South. This fabulous organization provides a key service to seniors in the communities where they live and gather. Through the arts, seniors find the pleasures in life, and often have the gift of remembering regenerated for a period of time, as they clap and sing and dance and sculpt and listen to storytelling. What a wonderful service to our aging population, and what a treasure this is to the Mid-South community.

Creative Aging is the best kept secret in Memphis. The entertainment to the senior facilities is priceless. the opportunity to support our great artist is a perfect blend to enhance lives in all aspects of the arts. I am honored to serve on the board.

I personally have seen the good that CAM does: What would otherwise be a regular, boring, and same old mundane day to a senior who can't get out is changed to a happy, dancing, foot-tapping, party day. The physical and psychological effects of Creative Aging's events can be measured with smiles and happy stories their senior audience tells. Creative Aging is a very safe and cost efficient way to help seniors at a basic "grass-roots" level. Your help gets a very large "bang-for-your-buck." .... Al Warren

I found CAM when they brought Breeze Cayole to Trezevan Manor where we reside. As a long time saxaphone player who had "lost his touch" I listened to a premier expert in jazz - especially New Orleans. The work done by CAM works on two fold basis - bringing senior citizens excellent programs and provides excellent musicians with a stage to show their wares. Needless to say my wife and I not only find there programs excellent we find a place to give to help funding of a superior nonprofit. RJS

Creative Aging has been very helpful to me in relation to my job, since it was a new position for me, If I was unsure of something or had any questions, of which I had many, they were very quick to answer them for me and went above and beyond to help me. Looking forward to using them as much as possible in the years to come.

We have a great partnership with Creative Aging. It is a wonderful organization helping Seniors in various ways. We are thankful to Creative Aging for all they bring to our community. Lisa Shurden, Sales Outreach Specialist, HealthSpring

My partner, Hank and I, have enjoyed every performance we have had the pleasure of giving to seniors in the Mid-South. Creative Aging has allowed us to bring a smile to many seniors who love the same music we do.

Creative Aging Mid South is a wonderful organization that not only serves our Seniors but employees seniors and so many of our city's great musicians and artists. Creative Aging doesn't just provide your typical musical performances to area Seniors, we have Queen of Beale Street Ruby Wilson, Memphis' own Jazz Queen Joyce Cobb and many other Memphis music legends on our roster. I'm not only a board member but I also work in an assisted living facility that is recipient of Creative Aging's services. The music and art therapy that CA provides is pricesless to our residents - they all light up whenever a CA artists arrives to entertain them!

Working with Creative Aging Midsouth is wonderful! As an Activities Director, I have had my fill of endless phone calls and interviews when it came to hiring entertainment for monthly parties. Now all I have to do is email my request and it's all set! They have a huge list of multi-talented artists that provides opportunities for our audience members to stay connected to the community, interact with the artists, reminisce about the music’s meaning in their lives, and dance, sing, clap, or simply move to the music. Creative Aging Midsouth IS working to improve quality of life for OUR Mid-South elders by providing access to experiences in the arts!

All CAM programs are accessible to seniors regardless of physical or cognitive frailty because we bring the performances to them where they live!
We are an assisted living community whose residents benefit from the performances of artists in our community.
CAM performances provide opportunities for audience members to:
stay connected to the community
interact with the artists
reminisce about the music

THE FACILITY IN WHICH I WORK HAS BEEN FORTUNATE TO BE A RECIPIENT OF THE CREATIVE AGING PROGRAM AND HAS BEEN AN EXCEPTIONAL RESOURCE FOR TOP NOTCH ENTERTAINMENT. THE VARIETY IS FANTASTIC AND THE QUALITY HAS BEEN GREAT ! iT IS AN INVALUABLE PART OF WHAT WE CAN OFFER TO OUR RESIDENTS IN ASSISTED LIVING TO MAKE THEIR LIFE MORE ENJOYABLE.

I became familiar with Creative Aging in the Spring of 2009. With my fondness of Elders, I quickly paid attention and discovered that Creative Aging was creating such a "need" in our Community.

I became a Member of the Board in June 2009. Quickly enough I learned even more about this organization and was so touched and happy whenever I experienced performances. More importantly, watching the recipients was fabulous!

Interestingly enough, I became employed at at the Ave Nursing Home in Bartlett, TN in June 2010. I am the Activities Director of the Nursing Home.

Upon arrival, Creative Aging was already established with Ave Maria and acts were already booked. I saw even more excitement from the Residents than I had ever seen as just a Board Member. It was so much more "up close and personal" to my delight! In fact, the other day at our January Resident birthday party, one of the Residents said, "the best performers we have always come from Creative Aging". This Resident had no idea that I happened to be on the Board.

I guess the point is, it's not just me loving what I hear, see, experience. It is, if fact, the recipients. The ones that matter.

Peggy Lichterman

Our clients/ residents really enjoy the Entertainers that come to Ave Maria Home . The clients/ residents enjoy the music, love to dance and just seem to have a great time . The Entertainers are very professional and they seem to enjoy interacting with the clients/ residents. We have had some Entertainers touch our hearts with their songs and their words of wisdom. Please keep up the good work.

We have been utilizing Creative Aging for several years now.
The quality of the entertainment and the ease of booking has made our monthly performances a real crowd pleaser.
All of the entertainers are nice to work with, and our audience enjoys the fact that each one takes the time to interact with them.
The professionalism of the staff of Creative Aging is noteworthy as well!
We will continue to work with them for many years.

My name is Bobby Frison, Activity Director @ Apple Grove assisted living here in Memphis, TN. We have been using Creative Aging services for10 months. My Alzheimer's patients absolutely adore the performers that creative aging hand picks. Every Friday here at Apple Grove my residents get the surprise of a life time with some of Memphis best talent. Creative Aging has performers from all walks of life and if we weren't able to use their services I don't know what I would be entertaining with... I guess it would have to be puppet shows every Friday...lol. I'm so glad that I get to express just how much we here at Apple Grove love Creative Aging and what they bring here to Memphis assisted living & nursing home facilities....
Thank you Soooooo Much.... Hugs&Kisses

It has been a great experience to be one the performers for creative aging and to have the opportunity to see how much our elders enjoy
music. When the performances ocurred they gather to have a good time, to sing along and sometimes even dance. My favorites are the birthday parties, it's priceless to be there to sing and celebrate the lives of those that gave their work to the community and that now are retired but shouldn't be forgotten.
I thank CAM so much for all their efforts to improve our seniors quality of life.

Creative Aging Memphis provides much needed interactive programming for seniors in residential centers. All of the programs from CAM allow residents to attend events that, depending on their mobilility, they may otherwise miss if required to attend "off-campus." Even participants who have cognitive disabilities show signs of recognition during a musical performance. I have personally witnessed reactions from residents that are nothing short of miraculous. The family members that are sometimes with the seniors at those times become overjoyed to see reactions from their loved ones.

I have worked for several years with Creative Aging as a Board Member and still am impressed with the work that we do. Creative Aging provides musical entertainment and visual art workshops at senior centers, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. I have visited some of these facilities and observed the happiness, joy and memories that come from hearing the music and also how art has brought out creativity in our senior adults. Periodically, we have musicians join MIFA volunteers when they deliver Meals on Wheels . What a surprise the music along with theirdaily meal has brought to the homebound.

Creative Aging Memphis is a wonderful organization that brings QUALITY entertainment to the senior citizen community. Music is one of the most lasting, and emotionally driven important parts of life. Music can relieve pain, stress, and bring healing to senior citizens in a nursing home community. Music provides caregivers with an important boost to their efforts.

Many activities directors, while they are grateful for volunteers who provide music, recognize that the quality isn't always the best. Creative Aging allows them to bring in professionals at a fraction of the cost.

For performers, being able to support their craft financially allows more opportunities for them to give back to the community.

Creative Aging of the MidSouth
I wear two hats. As a member of an ensemble who provides programs for our senior members of our community, my heart is warmed with the broad smiles and participation of our audience members. As a resident of a retirement facility I know my community members look forward to the quality of the programs which are provided. Creative Aging makes difference.