Nursing home enjoys 'battle,' refuses to turn down noise

JEANERETTE — with drumsticks and mic in hands and guitars around their necks, residents and staff members played and sang along Wednesday to The Ramones, Nirvana, Weezer and other ’90s rock classics at Maison Teche Nursing Home’s first ever Battle of the Bands, Nintendo Wii style.

Activities are a must at nursing center and senior citizens’ homes, and Activity Director Fredericka Jackson and her assistant Deadra Mouton said they are always looking for creative ways to entertain the 86 residents who live at Maison Teche.

“They (residents) play the Wii all the time,” said Jackson. “They do bowling, baseball, tennis, all of them. But this is the first time they’re going to play Rock Band.”

From the residents’ side, Lead Singer Rosa Collette, Drummer George Alexander and Lead Guitarist Roy Eskind shared ear-to-ear grins as they tried to keep up with “In Bloom” by Nirvana and “I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Ramones.

“I ain’t never played a drum in my life,” said Alexander.

After the residents finished their set, staff members Kris Ruffin, Ebony Rideaux and Mouton stepped up to the mic to perform a couple of songs.

At Maison Teche, Jackson, who has been working at the home for 18 years, said it is common to see staff members participate in activities with the residents.

“We have a lot of employees,” Jackson said. “Most of them have been here for a long time. The staff is really good about participating when we have activities.”

When the residents are not playing the Wii, Jackson and Mouton said there are constantly other things going on for the residents including bingo, card games, casino trips, wine and cheese parties, pizza and pie baking, movie trips and more.

“They really enjoy the outings,” said Mouton. “Yesterday we took them shopping. This (Rock Band) is just giving them something different. It’s something special for them.”