“If you want to change the dance, you’ve got to change the steps,” is a great coaching quote I learned way back when, and the most important part of the lesson is that the steps you must change are your own.
Here are 10 dance-inspired tips to help you tango instead of tangle with your dementia care partner:
- Let them lead
- Play music they like
- Look into their eyes
- Adjust your steps to fit theirs
- Take their hand
- Don’t hold on too tight
- Be light on your feet
- Guide only if and when required
- Relax and smile
- Twirl occasionally, just for fun
Additional inspiration on the same theme with renowned Hollywood lindy hop and jitterbg dancer Jean Veloz at her 90th birthday party in 2014 (she makes it look so easy):
Here’s Veloz in a similar number in her “younger” days:
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More dance-inspired posts here.
My Alzheimer's Story 