Savor is one of my favorite words these days. Like a good dark chocolate sitting on my tongue, or soaking in the limited glimpses of the sun lately, I like to savor experience. Dance, especially, because it allows us to perceive the world 3-dimensionally.

As an older adult myself, I know how important dance is for my health and well-being. It's not just exercise, it's dancing, sometimes to music, and mostly in community. I am fortunate to live in a part of the world where dance is accessible to older dancers, whether improvisation, modern dance, or dancing stories. The sense of community that we have, the appreciation for one another and our lived experience is palpable in every one of those groups. My teachers have to practice firm leadership to keep us from dissolving into socializing. Dancing in community is such an amazing antidote to the suffering many people experience from loneliness and isolation. As dancer Elaine Shann said after an evening social gathering, "It was a night to remember and cherish forever. In this ever disappointing world we have found a refuge. In Art, Fellowship and Humor. Aren’t we the lucky ones?"

We've all heard the story. Alzheimer's, the long goodbye. I have spoken with many people diagnosed with dementia who say that when they received their diagnosis, their doctors provided no resources - just told them to go home and put their affairs in order. What an insensitive, indifferent, and unhelpful treatment of a fellow human being in their care!

The long goodbye. As we age, we all ought to be preparing for this. As Morrie says in Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie, "Everyone knows they’re going to die, but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently. . . . There’s a better approach. To know you’re going to die, and to be prepared for it at anytime. . . That way you can actually be more involved in your life while you’re living." Morrie suggests, "Do what the Buddhists do. Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, ‘Is today the day? Am I ready? . . . Am I being the person I want to be? Morrie, who had Lou Gehrig's disease said, "Not everyone gets the time I’m getting. Not everyone is as lucky.” Lucky! Imagine saying that when you can no longer take care of even your personal care any longer.

When I think about the little I know, or imagine, about death, it is that our flesh-and-bone bodies are no longer part of us. As we shed our physical aspects, our hearts, minds and spirits may continue on. Seems to me now is the time to truly relish our physical selves.

And so, for people living with dementia whose cognitive abilities are diminishing, don't you think it would be a huge benefit to attend to those parts of them that are still functioning and can, in fact, continue to grow?

A rainy day dance at the Dedham Public Library’s monthly Memory Café

This is what life can look like for someone with dementia who is offered the opportunity to dance. How sweet for this couple to be able to be together in meaningful ways where they can continue to be in mutual, loving relationship. (She asked me to take the photo for the local newspaper.)

It seems wise to savor our bodies as we dance and move expressively in our later years, while we still have bodies.

I feel blessed to have found my calling 20 years ago. My calling is not only creating opportunities to dance with people with dementia, but teaching and providing others with the support to do the same. Check out my next training in the Boston area, June 1 and 2. https://danceforconnection.com/upcoming-events/2023/9/4/bringing-dance-to-older-adults-and-people-with-dementia-virtual-training-el89n-f7ksx

This is the link to register: To register: https://danceforconnection.com/store/bringing-dance-to-older-adults-and-people-with-dementia-virtual-training-gl4ey

by Donna Newman-Bluestein

Is There Life after a Dementia Diagnosis? Might We Savor a Long Slow Dance?