Hereford Care Home Residents ‘Keep Dancing’
People living in a Hereford care home put on their dancing shoes in an activity designed to help those with, or stave off, dementia.
The Brockington House Care Community was the venue for ‘Dance Away Dementia’, an initiative set up by international Latin dance performer and teacher John James.
This involved providing Salsa dance lessons for the ladies and gentlemen who live at the home in Hafod Road.
John, who is also a qualified Psychotherapist, has made a name for himself by delivering the lessons in care homes after setting up his business following the pandemic and on the back of research which shows how dancing can reduce the occurrence of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
John was joined at Brockington House by two members of his team, Stephanie and Mick. The latter is known affectionately as ‘Mick the Mambo’ and despite being in his 70s, he is still ‘busting’ the moves on the dancefloor.
They took residents (and staff) through various Salsa steps and ensured those who have mobility problems didn’t miss out by handing out instruments to play or Strictly Come Dancing-style scoring paddles so they could ‘judge’ the dancers.
John said: “Everyone did really well and it was fantastic to see so many taking people taking part, including staff.
“It’s a fun, unique way to keep fit but with real therapeutic value too.”
John decided to set up Dance Away Dementia after the pandemic forced him out of work, combining his dancing and psychotherapy skills.
He explains: “Dance is seen as viable therapy because it simultaneously combines physical and cognitive stimulation.
“It was only when I started delivering the sessions in the care homes that I started the seeing the results for myself.
“I asked one lady whether she had ever had dance classes and she said no but when we started dancing it was clear by the complex nature of her moves that she had, and this was later confirmed by her daughter. She had forgotten she had once been a dancer due to her now living with dementia but once she got on the floor, she did it naturally without thought.”
Tara Chatterly-Russell, Brockington House Activity Lead, said:
“Our ladies and gentlemen don’t need any excuse to get up and dance, sit and tap their feet or clap their hands, so this was the perfect activity for them.
“It was a very stimulating experience for everyone.”
John’s Dance Away Dementia initiative was discovered on an activities website by Brockington House staff member Antonia Allert, who works as a Carer and supports the activities team.
