For an old folks' home, just go in, sit in the day room, open the case, ask anyone present if they mind of you play and sing, and then just play for yourself. Ignore the people completely till you feel OK about noticing that they are there. They'll set the tone-- just respond.

Soon you will either have an audience or an empty room. If you have an audience, an activities director will come by soon to see when you can come back. Start there, and you'll learn what you need to learn, about keeping an audience's attention. When you get good enough to gig elsewhere-- don't forget those folks waiting for that nice young man to come back.

A Sunday afternoon is a good time to do this, when there are family members visiting as well. Other times are mid-morning (they nap after an early lunch), or while the dinner is being set up and people are being brought down for supper or congregating on their own.

~S~