Imagine your grandparents doing the latest trending dance routines on TikTok. This may be your case if they are residents of the Taillegrain nursing home in Bourges, where they are becoming real stars of the social network. Since February, these seniors have staged themselves in completely offbeat videos, where they indulge in parodies of songs that have marked their lives, but also those of the younger generations.
The band of residents did not improvise themselves as influencers for nothing, since their videos are a hit and have already gathered more than 6 million views! But what can they do in these few seconds of recordings to arouse so much enthusiasm? Lucette, Annick and all the other residents therefore lip-sync to a song they love, all to a completely wacky choreography and with a few little props, to add a touch of humor to their sequences.
Celine Dion and Naps backing tracks
And the seniors of Taillegrain make us adore re-listening to the classics of French variety, such as The Champs-Élysées by Joe Dassin. Seniors also have fun playing soundtracks from cult films, like our Rose and Jack de Bourges, who we see tenderly dancing together on my heart Will Go On of Celine Dion, famous anthem of titanic. The two lovebirds are certainly older than the fictional couple, but the scene is no less touching than the film.
@ehpad_de_taillegrain the Ehpad Taillegrain is not ready to capsize! ⛴️ #bourges#taillegrain#titanic#amour#film#jack#rose#personneagee#emotion#residents#pourtoi#ehpad♬ original sound – EHPAD Taillegrain de Bourges
But slightly more surprising titles also find their place on the TikTok @ephad_de_taillegrain account, such as that of Naps, The love. “I had the idea for the project because I really wanted to make animations that were a bit out of the ordinary, that could please residents, and show them what networks are today”, explains Chloé at the microphone. from Europe 1, one of the two caregivers behind this TikTok workshop. “They were a bit reluctant at first because of course it’s all new to them.”
Stimulate imagination and cognitive functions
“Now, with the positive effect that there has been on TikTok, many residents want to join the project with us”, welcomes the Berruyère caregiver. And as she also explains, the idea came to her from the striking resemblance of two residents to the singers Diam’s and Vitaa, resulting in a parody of their famous musical duo, Night confessions.
@ehpad_de_taillegrain At the ehpad we go back to the 2000s. #bonnehumeur#taillegrain#hopital#funny#ehpad#humour#personneagee#residents#pourtoi♬ original sound – TESS THE IGGY
Chloé also praises the benefits they have on her patients. “It’s not just an animation like that, it serves to stimulate the residents’ imagination, creativity, cognitive functions and physical coordination”, she specifies before continuing, “It also allows families to see their loved ones in a different light. Lots of grandkids come up to their grandparents saying, ‘That’s so funny Grandma, I saw you on TikTok!'”