DANCE THERAPY – THE PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC USE OF MOVEMENT TO PROMOTE THE EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL INTEGRATION OF THE ELDERLY

Abstract

Background. Elder adults often require adaptive activities to maintain or regain their physical fitness. Dancing is one of the most
complex activity for people. Dance is an activity which develops social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills that can improve the life quality of elder. The old age is a problematic, so the therapists have to work more with this segment. Every activity or therapy is welcome to prevent the needs of elder people. Dancing is one of this theraphies and I will show the benefits of this activity.
Method. The purpose of this case study is to describe the process of developing, pilot testing and implementing a dance-based
exercise class at the Seniors Club of Bucharest City Hall. This participant observation-based case study makes use of holistic  observations during the process of developing and offering the class in cooperation with the Director of the Seniors Organization. Participants will complete a “Course and Instructor Evaluation”, reporting their experience with the class, including any perceived benefits, concerns and willingness to pay and participate in future dance offerings. The weekly class format includes 10-minute warm-up/introduction, 40 minutes of cardiovascular oriented dance instruction with pre-recorded accompanying music, and a 10-minute cool down/review.
Results: In consultation with the program, a dance-based exercise class for seniors was approved, designed, advertised, and
implemented. Participants displayed signs of enjoyment during the class meetings and the small class size allowed all to engage in a dynamic, powerful, and rewarding experience of dance regardless of level of ability. Through repetition and reinforcement of movements participants learned dance steps often working beyond their conceived limitations. Dance has shown promise in improved fitness, social connections and overall physical and cognitive benefits.
Conclusion: Our study is meant to show that a professional trainer, a good program, implicated people takes to good results. For
elders is very important to take good activities. The study will show that the dance therapy is an instrument that is proper to improve the elders life, make they feel good and in the end the quality of life of elder people.