Get your parents out and involved with others in their community is important. Dance classes provide multiple benefits that aid a senior’s overall wellness. Here are five reasons why dance classes are great for the elderly.
It Gives Them a Chance to Socialize
Dance classes are a social activity. While you dance with a partner, you’re also interacting with an instructor and the rest of the class. If you hold a recital, you’ll work together as a team. Your parents will make friends and enjoy quality time together.
It’s Great Exercise
Dancing works out the entire body. The movements get the heart pumping. They also help tone muscles. Dancing can increase stamina and endurance. The exact benefits depend on the type of dance. Belly dancing uses a lot of arm movements and hip movement. Ballroom dancing requires spins, precise footwork, and precise placement of arms for the duration of the dance.
It Gets Them Out of the House
A dance class gets your parents out of the house. This helps lower the risk of isolation and loneliness. They’ll enjoy a change of scenery and have to walk from the car to the dance studio.
It Requires Brain Power
You might not think of dance as a good way to exercise the brain, but it is. You need to memorize steps and timing. Dancers memorize the one-two-three pattern of a waltz or the quick-quick-slow/slow-slow-quick rhythm of the rumba.
In addition to counting the beats or steps, you have to get down the rhythm. A quick step is one beat while a slow step is two beats. All of these requires memorization and timing.
It Helps With Posture and Balance
Most dances have a very precise form. Posture is important. Your parents can’t slump while dancing. They’ll need to stand straight and keep feet, hands, legs, and arms fully extended. They’ll improve their balance as they strengthen muscles. It can be tiring at first, but as muscle tone improves, they’ll find their endurance increases each week.
Why not join your parents in a dance class? It’s a great way to spend time with them. You may find all of you have so much fun that you continue learning new dances on your own or together.
When they’re not in class, make sure your parents have the help they need in their home. Whether they no longer drive and could use someone to drive them to stores and appointments or need help with meals and laundry, home care can help. Call our home care agency to learn more.