1. 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

2. “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

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

4. 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

5. 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

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

8. 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
Mostly appropriate
Varied
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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

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

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

20. Thank you 
Corinna Keaney Occupational Therapy Services #livingnotexisting #dancingnotexisting