When your favorite song is played, and you feel the beat pulsing through your body, it can be impossible to stay in your seat. You want to get up and swing your hips to the rhythm, with or without a partner, at any age. You get your heart rate up with each and every step, and you’re all but guaranteed to have a good time. That’s why it should come as no surprise that dancing is good for health at any age, but particularly later in life. Dancing is quite healing for the elderly and improves their physical and mental health.
It provides social interaction, it’s fun and it improves physical and cognitive abilities. Whether your elderly family members receive home care in Pasadena or they stay at a senior facility, plenty of dancing options are available. How dance benefits the elderly…Here are just a few of the numerous benefits that come along with dancing.
Photo by Esti Alvarez
Improves balance
Studies have shown, elderly that dance at least a few times per month are seeing improved balance over time. Their walking pattern is better because they can take longer strides and steps.
Dancing protects the heart
Those suffering from certain heart conditions may see aerobic advantages from learning the waltz. It’s even better than walking or cycling.
Improves strength & muscle tone
For the elderly, learning the salsa can increase balance and strength. The tango will also increase lower body strength and improve those longer walking strides.
Loss of muscle tone can’t be avoided as part of aging, but being active can lessen the impact. Dancing has been shown to improve muscle tone, balance, and even posture.
Alleviate stiffness
Many elderly suffer from hip and knee problems and find dancing is a great way to heal. Instead of relying on medication, dancing is used as physical therapy. By participating in low-impact dance programs, they will be able to move around more easily and alleviate their body’s stiffness.
Improves cognitive abilities
Over time, dancing will improve cognitive abilities. Elderly people that keep up with dance have better motor behavior, reaction time, and cognitive performance. Since dancing requires you to learn and remember choreography, doing this for years will improve cognitive abilities.
Fights Depression
Dance has been proven to reduce stress, insomnia, and anxiety. Even participating in dance for a couple of weeks, elderly individuals may feeling less depressed.
Fights Dementia
Studies have been done to show that dance is actually reducing the chance of developing dementia. While leisure activities, such as doing crosswords and playing golf are also help fight dementia, active activities like dance actually offer a more effective solution.
Social, friendly & fun
Lastly, dance provides huge benefits to overall mood. Even if you have dementia, cancer, heart disease or another ailment, those issues won’t prevent you from dancing. Even wheelchair bound can get into the groove.
It makes for a great therapy for patients. It’s a great way to prevent loneliness, isolation, and it’s fun which keeps people coming back each time for more.
