Circle Dancing in Dementia Care

Research into brain fitness in older adults indicates the importance of:
  • continuing to learn
  • learning new and different things
  • stimulating intellectual, physical, and social activities
All of this contributes to developing a 'brain reserve' much like a financial reserve one depends upon in later years.
All of this describes DANCE!!!

Joie de Vivre Folk Dancers bring scientifically sound, socially engaging, fun-packed movement and dance classes to your facility.
See details here.

The following are quotes from Oliver Sachs' 2008 book, 'Musicophilia':

  • "We bond when we sing together but bonding is deeper, more primal, if we dance together co-ordinating our bodies, not just our voices."
  • " 'Together' is a crucial term, for a sense of community takes hold, and these users who seemed extremely isolated by dementia are able, at least for a while, to bond with others . . . "
  • "Music of the right kind can serve to orientate and anchor the user when almost nothing else can . . . it can have a power to restore people with dementia to themselves, and to others - at least for a while . . . "

Special Needs and Folk Dance

I am eager to bring the joys and rewards of folk dance to groups of individuals with special challenges such as:
  • visually impaired
  • intellectually impaired
  • Down syndrome
  • hearing impaired (how? I don't know...let's discuss...)
I believe the ideas put forth regarding dance and dementia care hold true for all dancers: the power of community, the power of music, the importance of stimulating learning.

Testimonial for Susan Barker, Folk Dance Instructor:

“I first met Susan when I joined one of her classes with a resident of mine who has middle stage dementia and wanted to dance. I must admit, I ended up having just as much fun as she did! Susan is enthusiastic, outgoing, fun and a fabulous instructor. Her music is so varied, with dances from around the world and steps that we all catch onto right away. Our relationship continued when she brought “Chair Folk Dance” to our Dementia Day Away Program - our clients loved the music, were able to follow the steps very well and everyone had a fun filled time! In fact, in both experiences I had dancing with seniors, it brought back so many memories and inspired lots of reminiscing! One of our clients, who was a dance instructor himself, even demonstrated a Russian Folk dance while holding onto two chairs to kick up his legs!! Any organization or agency would benefit greatly by adding Susan and her folk dance classes to their program!

Jennifer Dare
Program Facilitator
Day Away Program
Abbotsford at The Glebe

Thank you Susan. You have the uncanny ability to make me feel more positive about my challenged brain and coordinating??? feet.

S.K.  
Participant in dance class for people over a 'certain age'.