Hey Mudlark, Good for you. My parents have been living in nursing homes for the last dozen years, so I have LOTS of experience, and experiences. You've already received plenty of advice. I especially echo ... "don't dummy it down!" In my own case, I do not try to reach to songs that I'm not that familiar with. I avoid hymns like the plague, you never know what you're dealing with. I've also found out that most facilities have PLENTY of programs on the spiritual side. I do find that the familiar sing alongs, like Blue Tailed Fly, Froggie, etc. are very well received. Also, I'll relate an experience I had that I still laugh about. About a year ago, a new resident showed up. Man, was she a bawdy broad. She asked for every dirty song in the book, and then wanted me to take her back to her room so we could "get to know each other better." So, you never know what you'll run into. Good luck and do it often. CHEERS, Bob