Quality home care starts with the right connection: a caregiver who supports you or your loved one in a way that feels comfortable, reassuring, and tailored to individual needs.
Meet Dan R., one of our dedicated Care Partners at Homewatch CareGivers of Fort Collins. Around our office, he’s fondly known as “Dan, Dan the Guitar Man.” Dan has been part of the Homewatch CareGivers team for a year and a half and brings more than 10 years of caregiving experience to his role.
What makes Dan especially unique is the way he brings music into his caregiving work. Before becoming a caregiver, Dan spent years as a professional musician and later worked as a software consultant. After retiring, he turned to caregiving in search of work that felt more meaningful.
“I’ve been playing since I was fairly young,” said Dan. “I figured, why not use that talent if it can actually help someone? Music is therapeutic. Care can get really serious when people are dealing with physical issues, and music helps lighten the mood, for them and for me. It’s just fun to see the smile on their faces when they recognize the tune I’m playing.”
Using music as a bridge to connection
After retiring, Dan began volunteering at nursing homes and senior living communities, where he quickly discovered how powerful music could be in helping people connect.
One early experience that shaped Dan’s approach to caregiving involved a bedbound resident from Colombia who loved Latin guitar music. As Dan played for her one afternoon, she visibly relaxed, closed her eyes, smiled, and eventually drifted off to sleep. Since then, Dan has seen how music creates similar moments of connection in community settings, especially among individuals living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
“Some people are kind of lost in their minds,” he said. “Their head is down, they’re not very responsive. Then I’ll start playing music, and it’s like they wake up. Their head comes up, they smile and nod. I’ve seen it so often, the joy music can bring to people in that situation. I’ve had people come up to me and tell me the music helped them remember when they were young and used to go to dances. They have all these wonderful memories, and music just seems to bring them back.”
A lifelong passion for music
Dan’s passion for music began early in life. As a child, he listened to rock songs on the radio and taught himself how to play them on the guitar. Over time, he developed a love for the folk music scene of the 1960s, inspired by artists like Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Peter, Paul and Mary. He later attended college, served in the California National Guard, and went on to work as a professional musician.
“I knew music was my passion. That’s what I tell people: follow your passion, even if others say you won’t make a living at it. There were times where I took several jobs to get through, but I spent years playing music and growing as a person. The money will come if you really follow your heart.”
Today, as a caregiver with Homewatch CareGivers, Dan continues to witness the impact music can have, particularly for clients living with dementia. When verbal communication becomes more difficult, music often reaches people in ways words cannot.
“I love seeing that even when someone can’t process words, music can cut through it all and reach them,” Dan said. “Somehow, music has that power. It’s like it’s another way of communicating with them.”
Dan often begins by playing familiar songs that reflect a client’s era, then introduces gentle classical pieces. Upbeat tunes like “She’ll Be Coming ’Round the Mountain” and “You Are My Sunshine” tend to resonate most with clients.
Meeting clients where they are
Caregiving allows Dan to use his natural strengths like intuition, music, and compassion to support others. Through this work, he has learned how to truly listen, understand personal stories, and respond to each client’s needs in the moment. Because not every visit allows time for music, Dan is intentional about reading the situation and checking in with clients.
“Over the years, what I’ve realized is that everyone is different, whether it’s emotional issues, physical issues, or how dementia affects them. Sometimes the right thing to do in the moment is to sit down and talk with them. Other times, it’s doing the dishes or changing the sheets on the bed. I try to focus on whatever they need at that moment. In the same way, how I use music is different for every client: I tailor it as I get to know the person.”
For newer caregivers, Dan’s advice is straightforward: remain flexible, don’t take things personally, and do your best.
“Caregivers can be very critical of themselves, thinking they should be perfect, but it’s all part of learning. And the rewards are worth more than any challenges.”
Connecting you with the right caregiver
At Homewatch CareGivers of Fort Collins, we’re committed to helping individuals live safely and fully at home while giving families peace of mind. We carefully match clients with the right caregiver, support our caregivers with ongoing training and regular performance reviews, and require national background and DMV checks. Also, our agency was proud to be named a Top Workplace in Colorado by The Denver Post for the second year running in 2025.
When you choose Homewatch CareGivers of Fort Collins, you or your loved one will be matched with exceptional caregivers like Dan—individuals who bring experience, compassion, and thoughtful care to every visit.
From senior care and 24-hour care to dementia care, veteran care, Parkinson’s care, and more, our team is here to support your family. Call Homewatch CareGivers of Fort Collins at (303) 444-1133 today to schedule your free in-home consultation, or fill out our online form and discover how we can help!