Shall We Dance for Seated Clients
Shall We Dance is a seated dance program for aged care clients designed to bring music, rhythm and gentle movement together in an enjoyable 30-minute activity session.
The program encourages participation, laughter and social interaction while allowing residents with limited mobility to enjoy the benefits of movement and music.
When planning activity programs, one of the challenges is finding appropriate music. Full orchestral arrangements, loud voices and persistent heavy beats can sometimes create an atmosphere of tension. In this program, John Sidney’s music has a gentle rhythm and his repertoire of well-loved melodies provides opportunities for participants to sing along, relax and enjoy the experience.
Movement to music is instinctive. Most of us naturally hum, tap or sway in response to rhythm and tempo, and familiar melodies often revive happy memories.
Dancing was a central part of social life during the 1940s and 1950s. Many young people “went dancing” several times each week. Dance halls were places where friends gathered, where people met new partners, and where lifelong memories were formed.
Listening to familiar music while joining in gentle movements can help bring back those memories. Participants also benefit from improved mobility of body and limbs while engaging the mind as they follow the movements and reconnect with the music of their younger years.
Program Development
Shall We Dance was developed by Ann Rogers, whose work focused on creating meaningful movement programs for people living with dementia. The movements in this program were carefully designed to match the rhythm and timing of selected John Sidney recordings.
As Ann Rogers explained when developing the program:
“The timing of each tune and choice of selection made the project possible. The music has a nice beat and is not too fast or intrusive.”
This thoughtful pairing of music and movement helps participants engage comfortably with the program while enjoying familiar rhythms.
The Shall We Dance program offers a gentle and enjoyable seated dance program for aged care that encourages participation, movement and shared memories.
$28.00
Customer Reviews
“A review from a customer who benefited from your product. Reviews can be a highly effective way of establishing credibility and increasing your company's reputation.”
“A review from a customer who benefited from your product. Reviews can be a highly effective way of establishing credibility and increasing your company's reputation.”