The dancing and the happy smiles of the Flamingo residents uplifted our spirits at our “Spring Tea and Dance” activity yesterday. Flamingo is our dementia unit of our HSFA Support Centre. Tea and cake was served and our onsite Occupational Therapist, our Activity Coordinator and carers ensured all were active and enjoying themselves!
“Dance/movement therapy:
– can engage, encourage communication, and provide an outlet for self expression.
– is the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual integration of the individual.
– supports that mind, body, and spirit are connected and that individuals should be treated in such a way that supports integration of these three entities.
– operates on the premise that our life experiences are held in the body, and that through the use of movement, memories and emotions can be recalled and re-experienced despite cognitive, psychological, or physical impairment.
In regard to individuals living with Dementia, dance/movement therapy has been effective in stimulating social interaction, enhancing mood, reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms, increasing self-awareness and self-expression. Dance/movement therapy can even maintain and at times improve memory and cognitive functioning. The focus of communication is on non-verbal attunement and mindfulness, both of which become increasingly important as many dementias affect language and cognitive awareness.”
Article credit: ERICA HORNTHAL, LCPC, BC-DMT
