‘Drums for seniors:’ Ottawa musician brings rhythm to boost morale at long-term care homes

An Ottawa-based musician wants to switch gears and bring virtual drum lessons to seniors living in long-term care and retirement homes, as a means to help boost their spirits during the pandemic.

William Laurin had been hosting in-person drum circles within retirement homes and for autistic groups before the pandemic, but eventually that shifted over to Zoom.

He said he felt inspired to do something to lift the spirits of residents in Ottawa area long-term care and retirement homes, after staff from one of the homes he previously visited told him residents were essentially locked in rooms 'the size of horse stables' due to outbreaks of COVID-19.  

That imagery gave Laurin the push to create something to keep those residents energized and motivated, especially mentally.

He explains, the purpose of the drum circles is to have a connection, especially among the people joining in, and the goal of the sessions remains the same for the online lessons. 

Laurin feels the reception to the program has been very positive, so far.

“I can actually see them over the Zoom call which is great. From what I see their spirits are greater… they're laughing, they're enjoying themselves,” Laurin says in an interview with CityNews. “From the follow-up email from the organizers, they're telling me that they immediately want me back.”

He adds, this is a new program that some seniors haven't seen or experienced before, so the excitement is there.

Laurin is also working to get drums and equipment into the hands of seniors through a GoFundMe campaign.

“Right now, the GoFundMe is to raise as much money for drums as possible, so I can be able to have these Zoom calls with multiple retirement homes and long-term care homes around the Ottawa area, and hopefully expand to more,” he explains.

California-based drum head company REMO Percussions also donated equipment  to help support the initiative.

The goal for the initiative is to bring the drum circles to as many long-term care and retirement homes as possible in Ontario. Currently, Laurin is focusing his attention on the Ottawa area, including in Vankleek Hill, where he currently resides.