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DIY and inexpensive instruments
(clapping hands, hitting a coffee can, or playing on buckets is great fun, too!)
Better than Bingo
Are you tired of filling your activity calendar with trivia and bingo? Don’t get me wrong – it has its place, but it gets a little redundant, don’t you think? I can promise you that your residents feel that lack of energy, too!
Drumming is great therapy!
I don’t have to tell you that drumming is great therapy and lots of fun. It is proven to have a positive impact on people in nursing homes, assisted-living homes, and memory care units, and even for home caregivers taking care of a loved one!
I have countless stories of people that have shown drastic improvements while I have 
been leading drum circles. It never ceases to amaze me!
More than that, though, it’s tons of fun and a great activity! You don’t even need an activity director in the room. As long as there are a couple of volunteers or caregivers in the room to help the residents and repeat instructions, they will see great benefits have lots of fun.
For example, I was recently at a memory care unit and a woman in a wheelchair, who was described to me the previous session as in the end stages of dementia, was smiling and playing along with the help of her caregivers. They were taking pictures and she was having the most fun she’d had in months – it was beautiful to see, and the activity director later told me that it warmed her heart to see it.
It all started with me playing the right song to get her in the right mood!
It’s heart warming and therapeutic. Oh yeah – and it’s a blast!
A little about me –
A big part of what brings me such success is my engaging style. I’ve had a number of, what I refer to as, breakthroughs while leading drumming sessions. I can’t tell you how heartwarming it is to be a part of!
I have an extremely unique perspective to do what I do. In addition to the personality traits and drumming background that people love, I have a disease that has led to me being disabled. My first thought with everything I do is how I can make it accessible to everyone.
Why should you do virtual drum health and wellness?
Drumming is mentally and physically stimulating. It’s multi-sensory (audible, visual, and tactile), it improves timing which can have a positive effect on mental tasks as well as physical ones such as gate. Did you know that drumming is one of the few activities that synchronizes the two hemispheres of the brain?!
Let’s face it – drumming makes seniors with and without dimentia feel and perform better. Heck – it makes everyone feel better!
it’s easy for everyone to do and it’s been used by people for thousands of years to heal – long before the onset of pharmacies!
Another great thing about hitting a drum is that residents have complete control over it. You can hit it hard or soft and you always know what’s coming – because you’re doing it!
It’s empowering!
…and it’s a blast and a great activity!
I’m living proof that it can help improve fine motor skills, and, let’s just face it – it’s fun.
“Rhythm is the soul of life. The whole universe revolves in rhythm. Every thing and every human action revolves in rhythm.”
-Baba Tunji
What you get
What I’ve done is to record more than a dozen play-along videos in addition to 17 more instructional (some of which can also be used as play-along) and example videos. The play-along videos are just me playing to the camera – 1-on-1, with fun thiemes. They range from 10-15 minutes each. These are best for individuals and kids but they can be used for groups, too.
Audio Tracks – these are great for groups but can be used individually by choosing “group 1 or 2” and playing with that side. I’ve included over 50 audio tracks, most of which are play-along and anywhere from 10-25 minutes. I AM CONTINUOUSLY ADDING TO 
THIS as I have new suggestions and ideas. Feel free to email me your thoughts!
I then took my Do-It-Yourself program and included most of it to give you lots of ideas, links to free song resources, loops for extended playing fun, and helpful hints and games to keep your residents drumming and having fun.
This will keep you and your residents busy for the foreseeable future!
Here are some of the videos and audio tracks that are included in the program. The audio tracks are for as many residents as you can fit in a room!
At the bottom of this page I have some links to purchase inexpensive drums and a video for do-it-yourself instruments.
I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!
Audio play-long
These are slower to load because you can actually download these if you want (for use off-line). There are more than 50 audio tracks in the full version (and counting!) Have fun!
…and you can use those rhythms to play along with familiar songs (which I provide links to) or extended loops like the one below. I’ve attached a photo of the audio tracks folder so you can see what you get and how they’re organized.
“Thank you so much for bringing Jim Turk to Trinity Pines. That was one of the most exciting programs I’ve experienced in a very long time. So entertaining and instructive and creative…..not enough words to describe”
There are even some audio tracks that will get your residents moving around!
“They haven’t stopped asking when you will be coming back ever since you left”
Rocket Rehab Virtual Drum Wellness Program
This is actually a program that I sell for $197 but you’re getting it for less than half of that! Introductory Special – $97
When I get notice of you making the investment, I’ll send you the link.
Make the instruments yourself or use stuff you have around your house! Clap your hands or play on your legs. Personalize what you have – Make it a separate activity!
DIY and inexpensive instruments
Inexpensive instruments options:
Lollipop drums (great, inexpensive and easy to hold option but not very versatile)
A single frame drum comes with a mallet and is a great, inexpensive option for an individual person to use. The Remos are going to be better quality but a little more expensive.
The “kid’s” drum isn’t a child’s drum – it’s just what Remo calls that family of instruments. They’re less expensive than their professional counterparts.
-the wooden shakers are softer sounding so they may work better for people with hearing sensitivities but they can be a little more expensive.
-These are shorter tubes and cheaper – a higher pitch but also easier for little ones to handle.
*These are not the only options for these instruments on this website. Feel free to search more or looks at the items listed at the bottom of the page as well.
**Amazon.com is not the only website to use – it’s just pretty complete and more familiar to people. Other websites that I frequently use and that you can search on are musiciansfriend.com and westmusic.com.
“Hi Jim , the residents had a great time last week with you. We would love to have you back.”
You’re the expert!
I hope that you take advantage of this program! Your residents will love it and open up like you haven’t seen them do before!
Jim Turk, MS