Читать книгу The Creative Arts in Counseling - Samuel Gladding T., Samuel T. Gladding - Страница 88

The use of creative movement and dance with older persons is unexpected but pragmatic. Movement and dance activities have been associated with a number of improvements in this population (Pratt, 2004). For example, dance lessons involve becoming active, learning a new activity, and interacting with another person through movement and friendly conversation (Haboush et al., 2006). Dance and movement may improve social interaction, communication, and cognitive functioning in older adults (Jiménez et al., 2019). They may also aid or help improve memory, alertness, reality orientation, judgment, personal insight, and acceptance (Ashley & Crenan, 1993). Furthermore, dance and movement help older adults become more tolerant, empathic, and open to one another and enrich the quality of their lives overall (von Rossberg-Gempton et al., 1999). In other words, dance and movement seem to have a positive effect on older adults.

Many older adults have the ability and willingness to engage in a number of movement activities, including simple dances that benefit them physically and mentally. The exact nature of exercises chosen for members of aging populations depends on the physical well-being of participants as well as on the space and time available. Movement can include a number of activities that focus on such things as breathing (e.g., blowing soap bubbles), hand dances, nonlocomotor actions (e.g., bending a body part), enactment with props (e.g., moving a scarf to the flow of music), and exercises on the floor or in a chair (Fisher, 1989).

Even though older adults are not as flexible in their movements, the main limitation to working with this population is the creative ability of the dance and movement therapist or counselor. Dances, including aerobics, have proved useful to people in this age range (Atterburg et al., 1983; Lindner, 1982). The main emphasis of any movement or dance, however, should be improving participants’ self-esteem, physical well-being, socialization, and sense of accomplishment.