This practical handbook will empower activity coordinators and carers to run safe, rewarding and health-giving dance and movement sessions with older people, including with those who are frail, wheelchair-bound or living with dementia. The authors describe the many benefits of dance and movement for older people, and address important practical considerations such as carrying out risk assessments, safety issues, adaptations for specific health conditions and disabilities and how to select appropriate props and music. Step-by-step instructions for 20 dances and movements drawn from a wide range of eras, cultures and traditions are then provided. Ranging from Can Can and Charleston to hand jive, morris dancing, sea shanties and traditional hymns with movements, there is something to suit every mood and occasion.
Acknowledgements. About the Authors. Introduction. Part I: The Benefits. Why Movement is Important for Older People. Moving in Old Age:How it Helps. Part II: The Dance Session. Preparing Yourself. Preparing for Your Participants. Contraindicated and Controversial Moves. Reminders forSpecific Disabilities. Preparing Your Venue. Thinking About Equipment. Choosing and Using Movement. Planning and Running a Session. Choosing Dances.Part III: The Dances. Waltz. Tap Dancing. Hand Jive. Line Dancing. Free/Creative Dance. Greek Greeting Dance. Morris Dancing with Sticks. Morris Dancingwith Hankies. Oats and Beans and Barley. Amazing Grace. Step Lightly on the Earth. Morning Has Broken. Can Can. Charleston. Hawaiian: Little Brown Gal.Pearly Shells. Sea Shanties. Part IV: The Props. Appendix. Bibliography.
This is a very important and timely book for anyone who is either thinking of initiating or is already leading dance and movement classes for older people or those living with dementia. This well researched and clearly presented volume offers a wealth of practical suggestions on all aspects of planning and delivery of sessions from health and safety considerations and logistical implications to ideas for individual dances and significant occasions on which to base themed dance events... The book includes step-by-step instructions and music suggestions for dances from a wide range of genres, cultures and time periods, as well as links to two online videos... It will provide a good introduction to anyone new to the field.
