Fall prevention dance programme connecting seniors

Monday, 19 September 2011, 1:54 pm
Press Release: DANZ

MEDIA RELEASE

19 September, 2011

Fall prevention dance programme is connecting seniors in the local community

NOW in final round of the ‘Localist KARMA Fund’

DANCE MOBILITY has made it through to the final round - the public vote. From Monday 19th September, the general public will be able to head online to www.localist.co.nz/karmafund to vote for which organisation they'd like to see the funding go to. One organisation per Localist region (North, Central, East, West & South) with the most votes will be selected as the recipient of the $4,000 funding. So make sure you get your local community behind you, and voting on the site. Voting closes Thursday 29th September.

Senior’s from the Mt Albert and St Luke’s districts are feeling light on their toes after participating in pilot ‘fall prevention’ programme DANCE MOBILITY.

The idea behind this pilot programme is to provide an enjoyable and social alternative to other movement and exercise programmes traditionally used in fall prevention.

‘The classes have proven extremely popular, seniors have been braving the coldest winter in years to attend!” says Project Leader, Susan Jordan. “Not only do the classes provide exercise, but they are a great social event and attendance has been extremely high.”

The classes, which are designed to strengthen the body and build balance and coordination are taught by professional dance teachers, and use simple to learn movement based on ballet and contemporary dance techniques.

The classes are suitable for people with limited mobility, and no prior dance experience.

“People with Parkinson’s disease are finding huge benefits in attending”.

The success, and popularity of this pilot has spread, and retirement villages throughout the Auckland region have expressed interest in running similar classes in their venues. Funding is currently being sought to enable the programme to continue and to train more teachers to deliver the specialist DANCE MOBILITY classes.

This pilot project has been initiated by the national organisation for dance, Dance Aotearoa New Zealand (DANZ), and is a great example of the practical health and well-being benefits of dance.

Classes cost just $3 and are held on Monday mornings at 704 New North Road, St Lukes Church Hall, running in 2011 until 31st October.

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