Katie Shares the Sound of Music with Residents of Three Oaks

Manager Katie Monahan, a Music Therapist, inspires residents by incorporating musical expression into the social activities held at this Milwaukee area Capri Senior Community.

Katie grew up in Libertyville Illinois and as a child played, piano, oboe and guitar. After moving to Wisconsin and studying at Alverno College, she gained interest in working with seniors. She now enjoys accompanying the talented resident musicians at Three Oaks Circle as they perform for their community neighbors. Katie makes great use of her education and training by leading interested residents in musical experimentation and expression, using drums and other instruments. “They just love it!” she says.

Along with playing music, Katie’s interests include cooking, scrap-booking, sailing, wine tasting, travel, and attending jazz concerts. These themes are often woven into the many social activities she designs each month at Three Oaks Circle.

While Katie generously shares her many personal talents with Three Oaks Circle residents, she also draws on the talents they offer. “Sometimes residents need to be reminded of the great value they are to our community. On-site activities bring out their special talents,” she says. Her commitment to the values of Capri Senior Communities is evident in her attitude. “I am an advocate for the seniors living in the Capri Communities as well as the greater Milwaukee Community—they need to be treated with honesty, integrity and respect,” she says.

Katie holds a regular coffee hour in the building’s beautiful lobby so residents can share jokes and special stories with one-another. She also arranges for on-site beautician visits to the community’s beauty salon. And, she assists with resident-organized bingo games, drum circles, lectures, and pot-luck dinners held in the lovely and spacious Three Oaks Circle community room. For those who choose not to drive, Katie organizes weekly shopping trips using the community van. Summing it all up, Katie says, “We are not just a lovely building, we are a Community to the fullest extent of the word—extending care, concern and compassion to all of our neighbors who live here.”