Music reaches places words cannot. In this episode of For the Floor, we explore the simple, powerful ways music can spark joy, shift mood, awaken memory, and strengthen connection in senior living and dementia care.

Guided by the wisdom of Alexis Baker, Board-Certified Music Therapist and founder of Bridgetown Music Therapy, this episode centers on her KISS philosophy — Keep It Simple, Silly — and the reminder that meaningful engagement does not have to be complicated to be impactful.

Through practical ideas for singing, movement, listening, instrument play, relaxation, songwriting, and capturing moments of joy, this episode invites care professionals to use music as a daily tool for expression, regulation, and relationship.

To learn more about Alexis and the work of Bridgetown Music Therapy, visit bridgetownmusictherapy.com and follow along on social media.

💜 Episode Themes

Music as a bridge to connection in dementia care

Keeping engagement simple and accessible

Creativity as a core human expression

Rhythm, sound, and movement as emotional regulators

Using music as a daily care tool, not a performance

Permission to experiment without pressure

www.bridgetownmt.com

HIPAA & Compliance Notice

I take HIPAA, privacy, and compliance very seriously. Any resident stories or examples shared on For the Floor are de-identified, with no personal information or details that could reveal identity. The thoughts and reflections shared on this podcast are my own and are not specific to, nor do they represent, the organization I currently work for.

In this episode of For the Floor’s Art of Care Series, Amber shares the wisdom of Mary Beth, founder of Artfully Aging, who has spent more than a decade bringing meaningful art experiences to seniors through both in-person and virtual programs. This episode dives into the very real challenge of encouraging resident participation — and the simple, heartfelt strategies that help turn hesitation into joy.

You’ll hear practical Encouraging Words and uplifting Isms that any care team member can use to help residents feel at ease, included, and inspired to try something new.

💜 Key themes:

Why creative engagement supports emotional and social well-being

Gentle ways to encourage participation without pressure

Language that builds confidence and belonging

The ripple effect of joyful residents on community culture

Because when we create together, we don’t just make art — we build community.

Learn more at artfullyaging.com

HIPAA & Compliance Notice

I take HIPAA, privacy, and compliance very seriously. Any resident stories or examples shared on For the Floor are de-identified, with no personal information or details that could reveal identity. The thoughts and reflections shared on this podcast are my own and are not specific to, nor do they represent, the organization I currently work for.

In this first episode of The Art of Care mini-series, Amber shares wisdom from Loretta Woodward Veney — author, inspirational speaker, and Certified LEGO Serious Play Facilitator.

Loretta shares how LEGO bricks became her bridge to connection during her mother’s 16-year journey with dementia — and how she now travels the world using LEGO Serious Play to inspire joy, communication, and belonging among seniors and caregivers alike.

You’ll learn how this creative, inclusive method can transform communication and spark imagination, even for those living with dementia.
Whether you’re a direct care team member, life enrichment professional, or family caregiver, Loretta’s message will remind you that there’s no wrong way to build — only stories waiting to be told.

🎙️ Key themes:

Building connection through creativity and play

The 4 components of LEGO Serious Play

Real-world examples of reconnection and joy

How to bring simple creative tools to the floor

“There’s no wrong way to do it.”

www.lorettaveney.com

HIPAA & Compliance Notice

I take HIPAA, privacy, and compliance very seriously. Any resident stories or examples shared on For the Floor are de-identified, with no personal information or details that could reveal identity. The thoughts and reflections shared on this podcast are my own and are not specific to, nor do they represent, the organization I currently work for.

While visiting Village Senaha — an assisted-living community in Okinawa with a dementia focus — Amber witnessed something extraordinary: people from multiple countries, speaking different languages, connecting through presence alone.

In this heartfelt episode of For the Floor, Amber reflects on what happens when words fall away and only care remains. From gentle gestures to calm approach, she explores how body language, tone, and energy can become our most powerful communication tools in dementia care.

She also shares the transformation she saw in a group of young volunteers — how one afternoon in senior living changed their entire perception of aging, purpose, and joy.

💜 Key themes:

Connection beyond language in dementia care

The power of body language and approach

Modeling calm, heart-first communication

Changing perceptions of what senior living truly is

Because sometimes, the most meaningful conversations happen without words at all. Connect with Amber!

https://www.facebook.com/forthefloorpodcast/

www.linkedin.com/in/amberraelihs

HIPAA & Compliance Notice

I take HIPAA, privacy, and compliance very seriously. Any resident stories or examples shared on For the Floor are de-identified, with no personal information or details that could reveal identity. The thoughts and reflections shared on this podcast are my own and are not specific to, nor do they represent, the organization I currently work for.

During her travels through Okinawa, Japan — one of the world’s Blue Zones — Amber discovered something that forever changed the way she views aging and care.
Here, elders aren’t hidden or hurried. They’re honored. Celebrated. Treasured.

In this heartfelt episode of For the Floor, Amber reflects on what it means to see aging not as decline, but as accumulation — of wisdom, stories, and strength. She shares memories from her homestay in Okinawa, where elders gathered daily on a simple bench to visit and laugh, and where photos of ancestors filled every wall in quiet reverence.

You’ll walk away inspired to see aging through a new lens — and to bring that same spirit of respect and wonder to the residents and team members in your own community.

Key themes:

Why elders are considered “treasure” in Okinawa

How cultural reverence for aging changes community life

Simple ways to honor wisdom and longevity in senior living

A mindset shift from labels to legacies


Connect with Amber!

https://www.facebook.com/forthefloorpodcast/

www.linkedin.com/in/amberraelihs

HIPAA & Compliance Notice

I take HIPAA, privacy, and compliance very seriously. Any resident stories or examples shared on For the Floor are de-identified, with no personal information or details that could reveal identity. The thoughts and reflections shared on this podcast are my own and are not specific to, nor do they represent, the organization I currently work for.

In this episode of For the Floor, we explore one of the core themes at the heart of meaningful care: personhood.

Together, we’ll talk about what personhood really means, why it matters, and how we can go beyond surface facts to truly know the people we serve. You’ll learn practical ways to deepen connection — from using the 3–2–1 Practice to sharing what you learn with your team — turning individual insight into community culture.

Because in senior living, every story matters. And when we honor the whole human, we transform our work from routine to relationship. Connect with Amber!

https://www.facebook.com/forthefloorpodcast/

www.linkedin.com/in/amberraelihs

HIPAA & Compliance Notice

I take HIPAA, privacy, and compliance very seriously. Any resident stories or examples shared on For the Floor are de-identified, with no personal information or details that could reveal identity. The thoughts and reflections shared on this podcast are my own and are not specific to, nor do they represent, the organization I currently work for.

In this episode of For the Floor, we explore what it really means to live out the human side of care — those small, in-between moments that turn tasks into connection and honor each person’s personhood. From nursing to dining to housekeeping, every role has the power to bring dignity and joy through simple practices like pausing at a doorway, making eye contact, or taking a breath to reset. Join me as we reflect on why these moments matter for both residents and care teams, and how they fill our cups with meaning along the way.

Connect with Amber!

https://www.facebook.com/forthefloorpodcast/

www.linkedin.com/in/amberraelihs

HIPAA & Compliance Notice

I take HIPAA, privacy, and compliance very seriously. Any resident stories or examples shared on For the Floor are de-identified, with no personal information or details that could reveal identity. The thoughts and reflections shared on this podcast are my own and are not specific to, nor do they represent, the organization I currently work for.

Every movement has a “why.” In this very first episode, host Amber Rae takes you back to the moment hers began — with her grandma’s move into long-term care.

From her early days as a CNA to years in leadership, Amber shares the moments that taught her what truly matters: connection, dignity, and the everyday impact of direct care teams.

This episode is your invitation to pause, breathe, and remember why the work you do matters — and to join a community built to nourish you as you keep showing up with love.

Connect with Amber!

https://www.facebook.com/forthefloorpodcast/

www.linkedin.com/in/amberraelihs

HIPAA & Compliance Notice

I take HIPAA, privacy, and compliance very seriously. Any resident stories or examples shared on For the Floor are de-identified, with no personal information or details that could reveal identity. The thoughts and reflections shared on this podcast are my own and are not specific to, nor do they represent, the organization I currently work for.