Corinna Keaney RCOT Annual Conference, Belfast 11 June 2018 Dancing, not existing… The importance of dance for older people in care homes Corinna Keaney RCOT Annual Conference, Belfast 11 June 2018

“While dancing is often considered entertainment in care homes, I believe it can be a useful practice. Dance classes help calm agitation and improve mood and quality of life for people with dementia” Dr Azucena Guzmán García, Dementia Research Centre, North East London NHS Foundation Trust

Aims and objectives Dance project and how it was carried out Results and feedback Challenges and limitations Plan for future

Background 2016, Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre received funding from Arts Council NI for a Dance Leader project under the Arts for Older People programme 3 Phases Community dance classes Dance leader training Gentle dance and movement classes in 3 local care homes

Criteria Residents must: Not free entertainment Consent Be able to participate Be able to follow instructions Not free entertainment Care home staff must be present

Weeks 1 - 6 Monday Tuesday Thursday Staff available Yes every week Reluctance Space available Not always Residents numbers Varied 10 - 15 Mostly appropriate Varied 18 -23 6-10 Not always appropriate Residents participation Yes Sometimes Management involved Observed and provided very positive feedback Participated almost every week No

Weeks 7 -12 Monday Tuesday Thursday Staff available Yes every week Began to drop off Improved as the weeks went on Space available Yes Residents numbers Varied 10 - 15 Mostly appropriate Varied 18 -23 6-10 Not always appropriate Residents participation Sometimes Management involved Observed Dropped off due to other duties No Therapeutic rapport Lots of “craic” A little

Staff feedback Most interactive and energetic class × 2 Some residents were more alert, some were tired afterwards Increased cognitive alertness - greater interaction with others Decrease in patient depression Improved cardiovascular functioning, joint mobility

Did the residents gain any skills? Creative Skills Perception Interpretation Advocacy Communication Observation Memory

Learning points Fundamental lack of activities for residents of care homes Lack of skilled personnel to deliver activities Additional training and resources required within care homes

Learning points Community volunteers in care homes The role of Occupational Therapy Benefit of the arts – offers a non-threatening opportunity to interact with peers

Limitations Small sample Initial teething problems Poor return of questionnaires Reliability of questionnaires

What’s next? Funding Online instruction videos Train and support care home staff Roll out to all care homes

Thank you  Corinna Keaney Occupational Therapy Services www.ckots.com corinna@ckots.com @ckeaneyOTs #livingnotexisting #dancingnotexisting