Dance Therapy for Seniors

Articles

Feb 1

Movement is so important for our bodies at all ages. As we get older, injury, illness, or mobility constraints may cause some individuals to move less. Ensuring we move our bodies will aid us in the future in so many ways. For seniors, it can be difficult to find an activity that is both enjoyable and low risk for fall or injury. Individuals with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or arthritis may struggle to get enough exercise in their weekly routine. One activity that is proven to help and may be overlooked at times is dancing. Dance therapy (or movement therapy) utilizes the movement of the body in conjunction with the emotional connection individuals can have to movement in an intentional way.

What is Dance Therapy?

Instead of simply dancing for aerobic exercise, dance or movement therapy uses dance as a therapeutic tool. The physical function of the body can improve, but the psychological benefits include improvement to social interactions, cognition, memory, and emotional state.

Dance can provide an outlet for nonverbal communication, and a therapist can respond to movement instead of conversation to address the needs of the individual. A person can create movement and a fluidity with their own body by using their own motivation for physicality. Dance requires a person to tune into their own body to create patterns of movement or communicate.

Why Dance Therapy?

While dancing is a good practice for anyone at any age, seniors can gain particular benefits from dance therapy.

Physical Fitness

In essence, dancing is a great workout and can help you feel more physically strong and able. There are so many different types of dance, many of which do not require a high level of exertion such as doing the waltz. Seniors who dance regularly will likely see an increase in their ability to be more active during each week.

Fall Prevention

Beyond the improvements to overall physical fitness, dance can improve balance, which is a great benefit for seniors concerned about falling. Conditioning your body to improve balance will allow for more independence in your daily life. Dance is a fun way to improve or maintain motor function as you age.

Heart Health

Your heart also benefits from dance in a safe way for those living with a chronic condition such as heart failure. Those who are unable to perform more strenuous workouts may find dance to improve their overall heart function when compared to other activities such as walking.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Seniors who experience memory loss can at times feel anxious or frustrated with their own body and mind. Because dancing connects the body and mind, many individuals with dementia, Alzheimer's, or other memory-related disorders often report an improvement when dance is part of their regular routine. Music, exercise, and creative activity can help individuals with their mood and overall well-being. Many studies indicate that regular dance can help prevent the onset of dementia in elderly patients.

Parkinson’s Disease

When it can be difficult for individuals to be physically active due to a disease such as Parkinson’s, dance therapy can provide a way for them to move and communicate. As a means of therapeutic intervention, dance therapy addresses both physical and mental health.

Vision and Hearing Loss

Seniors experiencing changes to their visual or auditory abilities may feel frustrated or find difficulty to adjust to their new normal. Dance therapy can feel encouraging for these individuals as it allows them to focus on feeling instead of see. Even seniors with low vision can perform this activity safely and enjoy all the benefits of the exercise. Seniors who are experiencing hearing loss can enjoy the movement while preventing further hearing loss in the future.

How to Get Started in Dance Therapy

If you feel that you or a loved one could benefit from dance therapy, the best time to get started is now! The sooner you begin your practice, the sooner you will begin to reap all the benefits dance therapy has to offer. Start by contacting a therapy provider in your area. For clients in Southern Nevada, Northern Nevada, Oregon, or Hawaii, Tilton’s Therapy provides occupational, physical, or speech therapy for all ages. One added benefit of working with our therapists is that we provide treatment in the natural environment and aim toward helping you reach your maximum level of independence.

Talk to your healthcare providers about whether dance or movement therapy is a good option for you. Because it can have such a positive effect on mental and emotional health, social interaction, physical fitness, cognitive ability, and so much more, it is certainly worth considering incorporating this into your treatment plan.

Looking for other ideas to help you stay physically active at home? Check out some of our free printable resources and habit trackers for a fun way to stay active and try something new. Learn about the different ways our therapists recommend improving your mental and physical health.