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Bringing Dance to Older Adults and People with Dementia


Learn the skills to engage, inspire and uplift older adults and people with dementia through dance and expressive movement.

Dance movement therapist Donna Newman-Bluestein will share her approach to person-centered care through dance in this in-person class at an Assisted Living in Westwood, MA. Learn from her 45 years in the field how to transform the culture of care for people with dementia to one that is relationship-centered through dance and embodied caregiving. Through interactive experiences, discussion, and participation in two groups with people with dementia, come away with a theoretical understanding and practical considerations of why dance and embodied caregiving are so important, especially for people who no longer have words.

Photo from a recent Memory Café.

Workshop topics include:

  • aspects of dementia relevant to bringing dance

  • elements of dance

  • a person-centered approach

  • group leadership

  • theory

  • identifying benefits

  • model program, adaptable for your dance style, strengths, and clients

Who will benefit from this training?

  • dance/movement/music/expressive therapistsdance teachers

  • caregivers

  • mental health counselors

  • activity therapists

  • anyone who enjoys dancing and working with people with dementia

This 15 hour training by Donna Newman-Bluestein

Friday, 6:00 - 9:00 pm, Apr. 25 

Saturday, 9- 6 pm, Apr. 26 

Sunday, 9 am - 6 pm, Apr. 27

Earlybird price: $295.00. After March 31, $345.00 full price.

For further information contact donna@danceforconnection.com
Please register early as there is a limit on the number of students.

Upon completion of the course, students who do the required assignments will be eligible to receive 15 hours of Alternate Route credit toward the R-DMT. In addition, 15 hours of CEs from the ADTA are available.