"Every nursing home needs her. She is one in a million. Everybody needs an advocate. Every shift (in long-term care) needs to see her. I'd be willing to relieve them. This is so valuable!" - Bobbie Smelter, Retired Nurse (pictured below)
"You made me want to be a better CNA." - Marie, St. Mary's Manor
"I enjoyed every minute of it (mandatory inservice concert). I've been a CNA for 37 years." - Betty Hoglan, St. Mary's Manor
"I've worked here for forty years and this was the best in-service I've ever seen." - RN, Davenport, IA
"Very knowledgeable." "Enjoyed." "Loved your heartfelt feelings." "Good humor." "Bring her back in 2012." "Very different presentation." "Session inspired." "Great insight with compassion." "Best opening session." "Fabulous." "Very refreshing." "I laughed and I cried." "Speaker has special gift." "Engaging all the way through." "Very meaningful." "Great way to start a conference." "Touched my heart." "Songs were so real." (Actual comments from the evaluations of the almost 300 attendees at Kareen's opening keynote at the National Association of Activity Professionals 2011 Conference)
“Kareen King is a dynamic singer and songwriter who has captured the true heart of the elder and beautifully displayed this through her music. I have seen and heard her unique and inspiring keynote presentation at the MO State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Conference in the Spring of 2009 and breakout session at the Pioneer Network Conference in August 2009, and her plenary concert at the 2010 MC5 Conference where she reminded us all of the importance of valuing individuals of long-term care homes and treating them with dignity and respect. Her music and stories are captivating and truly a JOY to hear!” – Julie Ballard, Director of Culture Change (Health Systems, Inc.), Past Missouri Assistant State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Vice-President, MC5 (Missouri Coalition Celebrating Care Continuum Change)
"I had the honor of crossing paths with Kareen at a healthcare conference. She is a beautiful, gifted Spirit who just happens to be a therapist. Kareen does not play her music; she IS her music." - Edward J. Kesgen, PHD
“May we all be blessed in our golden years to have a sincere advocate for our personal care, dignity, and independence who is as profoundly dedicated and talented as Kareen King. I think every person working in healthcare should hear her message.” – PJ Prusia, Executive Director, Silvercrest at Deer Creek
"Kareen has the unique gift of taking moments of truth that she has experienced with elders, and weaving them into captivating stories and songs. Her delivery is both moving and motivational. Recently she was the closing speaker at the Ohio Person Centered Care Coalition conference. She was a perfect conclusion to a fantastic conference!" – Susan Marsico, LNHA, COO, Leeson Brown Ltd
"I saw your performance in Kansas City and Loved every minute of it. Thank you for being an inspiration to caregivers everywhere." - Michele Blakemore, Activity Director, CMA
"I’d like to introduce a marvelous resource. She is extremely gifted in her understanding of human nature. She is a lyricist, in that she relays real-life stories of long term care, etc., speaking to the hearts of care givers. She gives voice to the voiceless and compassion to the calloused. I highly recommend her as a speaker, addressing large crowds, small crowds and individuals, reminding them to take time to see, listen and care. She offers great, memorable melodies, and strikes a cord in the heart of the listener. I’d love to recommend her for a commercial to our KCCAP professionals as well, so that they might have an opportunity to have her as a guest in our homes and lives." - Shelly Gray “Bush,” BA/ADC, Director of Lifestyles and Life Enrichment, Kansas Activity Directors Association, Executive Board Member, Secretary, The Sweet Life of Rosehill
“I've been doing this for almost 12 years and been to conference after conference. You give what AD's do a meaning! Sometimes the meaning is lost between the chores and duties but you put that meaning to the forefront and I know from talking with others at the conference that they feel the same way. There are still days I wanna throw up my hands and go flip burgers at Burger King but then I get in my car and listen to your songs and it is ok! I can remember why I do what I do. You give a voice to the residents who have no voice. I sat today with a distressed, agitated woman who hasn't slept in two days and I rubbed her arms, legs, back and shoulders for over two hours and hummed gospel tunes to her just to calm her. Not once did I stop to think about the mountain of mail, charting and e-mails that had piled up while I was at the conference. I just focused on her. I decided after your presentations that I would get back to focusing on my residents because that is why I chose this career. Today that is what I did and it really felt good. As I sat with her, I thought a lot about the messages of your songs. She and people like her are why I do this. Thanks!” – Jerry Lynn Daniels, ADC, SSD, www.jerrylynnsnetworking.com
“Kareen King’s CD album is a creative contribution to the field of long-term caring. After over 30 years in the field, it is the only attempt (to the best of my knowledge) at trying to capture the humanity of our most frail and vulnerable older adults in a musical format. What a powerful teaching tool this is! Too often we forget that the frail elders have feelings, have had fascinating lives and have so much to teach us. I strongly recommend her album and perhaps better yet, her participation as a drama therapist and singer for your next long-term care training program!” - Cullen T. Hayashida, Ph.D. – Director, Kupuna (Elder) Education Center, Kapiolani Community College, Honolulu, Hawaii
“She is our conscience,” Scott Averill, CEO, Brookside & Wellsville Retirement Communities
“The feedback received (at the State Surveyor’s Fall 2009 Conference) was overwhelmingly positive. Staff appreciated your use of humor and sensitivity in sharing your stories of the elders you serve. Just a few of the comments received were: it was so touching, it made me cry; you can tell by her music, she practices the culture change journey; bet she really does connect with her residents. It was truly generous of you to give us your time, talents and your story. All of which was greatly appreciated by the surveyors and myself.” - Donna Deason, RN & Education Coordinator, Kansas Department on Aging
“Kareen has found a wonderful way to incorporate a joyful mix of drama, music, story, movement, interaction, and art into the lives of others. She is a wonderful role model of creativity in action with clients of ALL ages!” - Sally Bailey, MFA, MSW, RDT/BCT, Director, Drama Therapy Program, Kansas State University, Past-President, National Association of Drama Therapy
“Kareen King has a unique gift for telling real stories in song as an advocate for the elderly.” – Participants of Workshop sponsored by Jackson County Caring Community Council, Holton, KS
“Your songs move me and motivate me to be the best I can be, the kindest I can be at work and all over. You remind me that there is another point of view to each situation I’m in. You help me remember that being kind might help someone today. Thank you,” Marlene Hoglund, Activity Coordinator, Catholic Charities Adult Day Services, Wichita
“This session was worth much more than the cost of the whole conference. Amazing!” Attendee at the Kansas Governor’s Conference on Aging
"Kareen is wonderful! She offers an insightful and compassionate view of adventurous aging and is so generous with her many talents. Kareen has and continues to touch the lives of many people. Everyone should hear Kareen's message." Bev Sunderman, NEK-AAA, Hiawatha, KS.
"Wish the speaker could be 'cloned' for other facilities. Awesome storyteller!" - Attendee at Kansas Governor's Conference on Aging
"Excellent presentation. I loved your songs. They really make you 'feel' the individuals you sang about." - Attendee at the Kansas Governor's Conference on Aging
“I appreciate her teaching method which was unique, different than anything I’ve experienced.” – Activities attendee at North Dakota Long Term Care Convention
“Great session! Fun and inspirational. Made me leave wanting to re-think it again and again!” – Administrator at North Dakota Long Term Care Convention
“Fun, Fun! The personal stories are so great! The music was good, too. Great way to get her point across.” – Activities attendee at North Dakota Long Term Care Convention
“Great Reminder to care for yourself before you can care for others. Great use of psychology, family therapy terms/concepts to make self behavior changes. Good examples of ways to create a positive work environment.” – Activities attendee at North Dakota Long Term Care Convention
"Thank you for your stories and songs. I lived every one of them with you. Thank you for sharing the seniors' side of things." - Granny, a 92-year-old Assisted Living resident
“That was the best concert we ever had here,” Michael Leader, President, Country Meadows Retirement Communities, Hershey, PA
“Listening to you speak about your experiences with those ‘who need a voice’ displayed extreme compassion and brought tears as well as laughter to your audience. To put their thoughts and feelings to music is an incredible gift to all who listen! So many times we forget what it would be like to walk in the shoes of someone else...and until you do you can only imagine what it would be like. Your songs are truly making a difference and of all the ways that I can express my gratitude the simple phrase, GOD BLESS YOU, somehow seems to be the best!” – Diana Thompson, Osage City, KS
