Don’t Be a Wallflower: Ballroom Dancing Can Be Part of Your Quest for Independence and Well Being

Most middle-aged to older adults will know what ballroom dancing is. Just in case you don’t, it is a form of dancing, usually done in ballrooms (that’s a surprise!), or sometimes, just in any good-sized room, usually by couples (although sometimes singly), where the dancers move in a pre-set pattern. Move — remember that. Pre-set pattern — remember that, too.

Think:

• Waltz
• Foxtrot
• Tango
• Quickstep
• Swing
• Tango
• Cha Cha
• Samba
• Rhumba
• Fred Astaire
• Ginger Rogers
• Arthur Murray

The adults with whom NeuLife works to rehabilitate through our innovative therapies and clinically relevant services have sustained a variety of catastrophic injuries. Our process of rehabilitation starts with an independent functional or other type of independent evaluation to determine short-, mid- and long-term post-acute needs and goals. The results of those evaluations become the basis of the Client Goal Plan developed for each client. The Client Goal Plan is developed with the greatest level of independence in mind, consistent with the client’s physical and psychological abilities. In all events, NeuLife strives for the best possible outcome for each client.

Some of the conditions and occurrences that our clients have sustained and for which they seek NeuLife’s innovative care include:

• Catastrophic, traumatic and mild brain injuries;
• Neurological issues;
• Spinal cord injuries;
• Strokes;
• Post-traumatic stress disorder;
• Traumatic amputations; and
• Motor vehicle accidents.

What could any of those have to do with dancing in general or with ballroom dancing in particular? More than you might think.

As we have discussed in prior blogs, individuals who have sustained catastrophic injuries of various types, even when they have progressed to the post-acute level of care often enter a “Why me?” stage in their rehabilitation. At the early stages of their rehabilitation, or even when they have advanced to supported living or supported independent living stage, they may not be able to fully fathom what has happened to them, have not developed complete compensatory strategies to deal with activities of daily living and have not become fully independent. Dance can play an important role in accomplishing all of those goals.

There are both psychological and physical aspects of dance as a mode of therapy. Let’s talk about the psychological ones first. Dance therapy had its first formal recognition in the 1940’s. Studies have found that it has a positive effect on perceptions of well being, affect and mood[1]. Stories and gestures are encouraged and shared. The therapist maintains a group rhythm. The individual’s physical capacities and limitations are explored and feelings are expressed, allowing for emotional release and sometimes, group bonding. Some studies have found that this delays or prevents mental decline by stimulating cognitive and social stimulation[2]. Individuals with some kinds of neurologic problems, cognitive deficits, mild brain injuries and behavioral dysfunction may find this to be a particularly useful element in executing their Client Goal Plan.

The physical benefits may be a little easier to see, and that’s where the “movement” and “pre-set pattern” mentioned before come in. Part of the goal of independence that NeuLife strives to help all of its clients achieve involves the ability to move. Perhaps not flawlessly, but to rehabilitate the client to move to a far greater degree than he or she did before entering post-acute rehabilitation at NeuLife. And if dance epitomizes anything, it epitomizes movement — arms, legs and torso. Movement enhances movement. Therefore, because dancing requires movement, it enhances the overall ability to move.

The pre-set pattern aspect of dance correlates directly with many forms of ballroom dancing. Consider a Foxtrot, for example. It implicates strength, balance, memory and an unstated activity of daily living: fun. It goes something like this:

• For the man:

1. Step forward with your left foot
2. Step forward with your right foot
3. Sidestep to the left with your left foot
4. Move your left foot to your right foot
5. Step backward with your left foot
6. Step backward with your right foot
7. Sidestep to the left with your left step
8. Move your right foot to your left foot

• For the lady:

1. Step backward with your right foot
2. Step backward with your left step
3. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
4. Move your left foot to your right foot
5. Step forward with your right foot
6. Step forward with your left foot
7. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
8. Move your left foot to your right foot[3]

In a Foxtrot, or most any other kind of ballroom dance, there are quick steps and slow steps. The dancer has to balance, remember steps, relate with and to the movements of a partner and a host of other things. These movements and stimulations carry over and correlate with recovery from a trauma or catastrophic injury, and ultimately, to independent living. Don’t worry if the quick steps are slow right now. Safety and rehabilitation are the overriding factors. And regardless of how useful all of this is, in no event should you try it outside the close supervision of your licensed rehabilitative therapist at NeuLife.

The whole point is to illustrate that ballroom dancing is just one if the innovative and clinically relevant services that is used at NeuLife to achieve successful, sustained outcomes and to exceed the expectations of all persons served. In fact, even individuals in wheelchairs benefit from and enjoy ballroom dancing[4].

And don’t forget that very undermentioned activity of daily of daily living that ballroom dancing implicates: FUN.

Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” — the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.

NeuLife’s philosophy is that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best achieved in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourages, assists and supports each client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to achieve function and independence.

NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic amputations and other catastrophic injuries.

2725 Robie Avenue

Mount Dora, Florida 32757

[1] Meta-Analysis of Dance Movement Therapy and Dance, http://www.academia.edu/4232049/Effects_of_dance_movement_therapy_and_dance_on_health-related_psychological_outcomes_A_meta-analysis

[2] American Dance Therapy Association, Dance/Movement Therapy & the Older Adult, www.adta.org

[3] www.dancing4beginners.com

[4] http://wheelchairballroomdancing.org/groups/therapy.shtml