At 94, Elderly Man Dedicates His Time Visiting Fellow Seniors & Performing On The Piano For Them

Mar 22, 2023

When some people reach their senior years, they either retire to enjoy the remaining days of their lives to spend time with their families or relax and go on vacation. Of course, not everyone can do it. Some elderly people who reach the autumn of their lives do not have the privilege of just simply choosing to retire, staying at home, and enjoying their pension or retiring and going on a relaxing vacation around the world. 

The reality is a lot of elderly people do not have a choice but to work when they should be staying at home enjoying their older days. Then again, there are still a lot of elderly people who feel much happier working than staying at home. Whether an elderly person chooses to work or not, it’s always their prerogative. At the end of the day, respect should prevail – especially for the elderly people who strive to work hard to make ends meet. For one person, he dedicated a lot of his time to performing for his fellow seniors.
 
In February 2023, a 94-year-old man named Jerome Schafer from DeWitt, Michigan, gained attention for pursuing his passion for playing piano over the last six years. But he did not do it to profit from it – he did it for everyone at Clinton County’s Gunnisonville Meadows Assisted Living Center.
 
Schafer has been playing music since he was 14 – but he has never stopped doing it since. And 80 years later, he still shares his music with other people. But what makes his music unique is that he doesn’t just do it as a pastime. He pours his heart each time he plays music. 

Schafer also didn’t even have formal piano lessons, which meant he really worked hard for it. He also doesn’t read music, making him a real, pure talent. Schafer said he visits them and plays the classics for them, with songs ranging from different eras, including those from the 30s.

“I'm playing a lot of songs. I go back many years to the 30s, 40s, and like that,” Schafer told Fox47News in an interview.

Schafer has even gained regular fans – including a man named Joe Smith – who always makes sure to witness their performance every Wednesday.

“He plays here every Wednesday. I wouldn't miss it," Smith said. "He comes about 10:30 in the morning and plays until 11:30.”

Anita Iocco, another fan of his, said she also doesn’t miss it for the world because he enjoys every bit of it.

“I wouldn't miss it. Yeah, he's good. I enjoy listening to him. I always make it a point to be here,” Iocco said.

Schafer has also found support in his family, especially from his granddaughter Nicole Yabs who makes sure to drive him every week to his weekly performance. Yabs said it’s her grandpa’s favorite day of the week.

For Yabs, it’s also a form of a bonding session with her grandpa, saying she appreciates every moment she gets to spend with him.

“I don't think a lot of people appreciate the time that they spend with their grandparents, but I know that I definitely appreciate that,” Yabs said.

Schafer has proven that nothing is impossible for a person who keeps on dreaming – and he sure is an inspiration for other people that nothing’s too late for a person who never stops believing that they, too, can make it.

What can you say about Jerome Schafer spending his time playing piano for other people? Do you also know someone like him? Let us know what you think, and pass this on to other people who might find this story interesting!