According to the CDC, four in five of the most expensive chronic conditions among adults aged 50 years or above can be managed or prevented with physical activity.
As a senior, one of the ways you can keep fit is by taking a dance class. Dance for adults offers a unique combination of physical activity, social interaction, and mental stimulation. Sadly, you might struggle to find “dance studios near me.”
You can overcome these challenges by moving to a senior living community. You can join a dance class in the community to have fun while enhancing your physical fitness. Keep reading to discover the benefits of dance for senior health.
Improves Physical Fitness
Many seniors experience a decline in physical mobility as they age. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), 14 million seniors aged 65 and over fall annually. Regular dance practice can mitigate these health and safety dangers.
Engaging in dance can help improve balance and coordination. Most dance moves require coordination between the brain and muscles, assisting seniors in maintaining better balance and reducing the risk of falls. Gentle forms of dance, like slow waltzes, encourage stretching and elongation of muscles, which improves flexibility.
Dancing increases the heart rate and improves circulation, which is essential for cardiovascular health. As a senior, taking adult dance classes can reduce the risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure.
Although dancing may not appear as intense as weight lifting, it can still help build muscle strength. Many dance styles require holding different postures or moving in ways that engage muscles in the legs, core, and arms. Over time, this improves strength, making everyday tasks easier for older adults.
Boosts Mental Health
As people age, their mental health tends to decline due to factors such as:
- Loss of independence
- Isolation and loneliness
- Cognitive decline
- Medication side effects
- Financial stress
- Bereavement and grief
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Lack of mental stimulation
- Physical health decline
Dance lessons for seniors provide an enjoyable and effective way to combat these mental health risks. Dancing has a protective effect on the brain, lowering the risk of cognitive issues like dementia. Learning new dance routines offers effective mental stimulation.
Engaging in dance, especially in group settings, releases endorphins (the feel-good hormones). These hormones can help seniors minimize stress and anxiety. Combining music and dance moves helps improve mood, offering a sense of freedom.
Memorizing dance routines helps seniors exercise their memory. So, if your senior parent is experiencing memory problems, consider taking them to a community offering dance classes. In addition to receiving memory care, they’ll engage in beginner dance for adults, which further improves their mental health.
Enhances Social Engagement
According to MedicareFAQ, at least 57% of older adults feel lonely. Their social circles keep shrinking due to retirement, losing close friends and relatives, and mobility issues. Most of them live alone and struggle to find social opportunities.
If your older parent is facing this issue, consider taking them to a senior living community that offers adult dance classes. Dance offers seniors an excellent opportunity to engage with others in a meaningful and enjoyable way. The classes provide a safe space for them to meet new people and form connections.
Besides, attending regular dance classes can help older adults feel a sense of belonging. Many of them feel lost, especially after losing their lifelong partners. The supportive environment of adult dance classes gives them a routine and something to look forward to contributing to emotional well-being.
Encourages Emotional Expression
Dance involves an element of creativity and self-expression. It helps seniors express emotions in ways they might not feel comfortable doing through words.
For instance, some seniors might be in pain after losing their partner. They don’t know how to move on without them and cannot find words to express their pain. Others are worried about losing their independence and feel no one listens to them.
Dancing provides an effective outlet for all these negative emotions. Seniors can immerse themselves in the rhythm of music and the movement of their bodies. It gives them a temporary escape from reality and a sense of freedom.
Besides, dance lessons for seniors can increase confidence. Many seniors are often shy and afraid to express themselves. Over time, they start mastering various dance routines, which elevates their confidence.
They feel that despite their age, they can still learn things and become great at them. Dancing makes them feel young again and in charge of their lives.
Supports Weight Management
Being overweight is linked to many health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and joint issues. Sadly, most seniors struggle to lose weight due to a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet. Taking dance lessons for seniors is an effective way to handle this weight problem.
Dancing offers seniors a fun way to burn calories without feeling like they’re exercising. Most dance moves do the following:
- Engage multiple muscles
- Increase heart rate
- Boost metabolism
Since dance can be adapted to different levels, older adults can enjoy themselves while gradually improving their weight management.
As beginners, they can start with simple moves and gradually move on to more demanding dance routines. The goal is to keep challenging themselves and make each dance class physically demanding. Besides, attending dance classes can minimize boredom, thereby reducing idle eating.
Taking regular dance classes can help seniors reduce the risk of developing obesity-related diseases. It can also lower the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes, leading to better overall well-being in the long term.
Leverage the Benefits of Dance for Adults to Improve Your Wellbeing
Seniors can leverage the benefits of adult dance to improve their physical fitness and mental health. That’s why they should look for a community that offers dance for adults. They can take dance lessons in this community to have fun and socialize with other seniors.
Aston Village At Pelican Marsh offers seniors a wide range of health and wellness programs. Our staff is well-trained and compassionate, and we can help your senior parent improve their physical and mental health in Naples, FL.
Contact us today to learn more about our community’s senior living services.
