Now that I think of it, dementia doesn't affect one's ability to dance, unless or until there are physical limitations. And even if one is affected physically, one can still express oneself, one's ideas, and rhythm through dance. I imagine that learning new dance combinations would become harder, but I wouldn't know, as I've never been good at that. My preferred form of dance is improvisation where there is nothing to remember and all movements are welcome.
Next Monday, Nov. 9, 2PM EST I will be leading a dance group for people living with dementia and their care partners virtually and for free for DAA (Dementia Action Alliance USA). You can register for my program and learn about other programs here. Sessions are 45 minutes and are interactive. The group I ran last time was great fun, and I got lots of suggestions for music that I will be using in the next group.
Today (November 5) is the last day to register at the reduced rate for the Nov. 12 - 16 class Bringing Dance to Older Adults and People with Dementia that I will be teaching for the 92nd Street Y. The class is online, so here is your chance to study with me on a topic I am passionate about. The class will be interactive.
This graduate level introduces the theory and practice of dance and dance/movement therapy as it relates to people living with a dementia.
The course utilizes creative movement and DMT methods to teach participants to create a psychologically safe and supportive social emotional environment where people with dementia can actively engage, inspire and uplift one another. Issues will include aging, dementia and dementia care, the use of self, the role of mirroring, kinesthetic empathy, group dynamics, cultural aspects of care, and the essential elements for creating and adapting dance and expressive movement structures for this population using music and props. We will touch upon elements of practice via video conference and in-person with physical distancing. The methodology will include movement experiences in support of understanding attunement through mirroring and sensitive leadership, movement observation of video footage, as well as journaling and discussions. Break-out rooms will aid in our learning.
You do not have to be a graduate student, or even a college graduate to attend this course. You do need to bring a love of dance and a desire to make lives better for people living with a dementia.
We can dance and learn together online, as I've discovered from the improvisational dance classes that I take with Joan Green, Dancing Outside the Lines. "What my dance teachers didn't understand is that it was not the body that makes a dancer, it was the dancer's soul."
I hope you'll join me at the DAA USA dance group on Nov. 9 and/or at the 92nd St. Y virtual platform, 10-1 EST from Nov. 12-16.
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