Each time in the circle she would tear up when Bright Hawk would talk about Hawaii. When Hollis would lean in to invite her to dance, she would happily join in on the hula dance we do for the Hawaii story. She would smile big and each time she would say the same thing, “Ohhh I remember doing the hula with my husband on our honeymoon!”
Working with people in nursing care is challenging and when they also have dementia it can easily drain the energy reserves of even the most passionate nurse, activity director or direct caregiver. As a CNA, Certified Nursing Assistant, we are taught this in our training. I was aware that there was a potential to burn out as a CNA and as I moved from one…
Let’s Dance is not like any other entertainer that visits nursing centers, we not only entertain we comfort, we validate, and uplift the residents. So when you donate to our newest HUG campaign you help us send more HUGS to people in long term care. We all know how great a HUG can be.
So Hollis invited him to dance with their words and an outreached hand…. the first time he didn’t respond. The second time, he reached out and took Hollis’ hand and immediately gave loving soft eyes to Hollis. Eyes can speak so deeply and hold many truths, and when Hollis has discovered such a softness within a person, it’s hard to resist revisiting throughout the program.
Anyone that has worked with groups KNOWS that is more than half the group is feeling happy & joyous the rest of the group follows suit. This group had over 40 individuals excited to sing, dance, exercise, and listen to stories that warm the heart and inspire the soul. The group goes from chaotic and ‘just another day’ to smiling, hugging, and singing. Activity directors get excited when they see their group happily exercising together and are moved when they witness their transformation into happy & joyous folks.
Let’s Dance engages them in a profound way leaving them in a wake of hugs, exercise, big smiles, and uplifted moods. We engage people that haven’t engaged in months with music that opens up the heart and a lifetime caregiver that approaches residents one on one. Even cognitive communities love to have us visit because they know they are supporting our visits to their peers in memory care units.
Activity directors would validate our suspicion when they would say “I have never seen anything like this!” or “I cannot believe you engaged Judy, she hasn’t opened her eyes in months!” or “I was so surprised when Marjorie began dancing and singing with you! She never comes to activities!”
People with Dementia form new memories at Let’s Dance We know that people with dementia are often triggered by music they KNOW and recognize. At Let’s Dance we are fascinated that somehow individuals are engaged in the new music, remember to sing words, remember dance moves from last year and most of all they remember having a great time. Even though we introduce completely new…
Everyone has a great time while exercising! We all know that exercise supports a healthy lifestyle and at Let’s Dance we make it fun!
Everyone can afford Let’s Dance, a sliding scale makes it possible for Let’s Dance to visit all income levels. We ask that directors pay as much as the budget allows.
