Community at the Williams Adult Day Center

Author: Tanner Poff

My understanding of community is in a constant state of redefinition as I grow older and my perspective changes with new experiences. I was probably always overthinking what a community is and what it can do for people. But since I started working with the people at Williams Adult Day Center, my idea of what a community can be is much simpler than it used to be. None of us knew each other when we came together back in September. The caretakers assembled a random group of seniors for us to work and play music with. And since then, we've grown incredibly close and gotten to know each other quite well.

This got me reflecting on past communities I've been a part of, and I asked myself if the ones that shaped me the most were ones that I chose or ones that were chosen for me. But as I contemplated that question in my head, I realized it's not so important whether or not we're able to pick and choose which communities we become a part of during our lifetime. What's important is how we navigate and shape those communities.

At Williams Adult Day Center, I've witnessed the process of strangers becoming friends through music and shared time together. One morning, as I was filming our session, I watched everyone come in and greet each other. In that moment, it hit me that what we were doing was beginning to have a real impact on their lives. They look forward to coming and singing songs with us. Three days out of the week, they can count on hearing, dancing and singing to songs from their youth. I see them feel the music, not just hear it. And I see them access something inside of themselves that doesn't seem to be reached very often. For people going through the stages of dementia, perhaps there is something powerful in the repetition of hearing those familiar songs and seeing those familiar faces.

Community can sometimes be a group of people we can share our interests with, but it can also be a group of people we can count on. These days, I see community more as a place than an event, and I feel we're creating a special place with these people.