Former politician Ann Widdecombe and professional ballroom dancer Anton du Beke are stepping out to help thousands of older people in care homes waltz, tango or jive their way to better health.
Ann and Anton joined Bupa care home residents, their families and care workers at London’s National Theatre to launch ‘Shall We Dance’, an international initiative to encourage dancing amongst older people as a way of achieving a healthier old age.
The initiative coincides with a new Bupa report, also launched today, which highlights the ways in which dance can contribute to the emotional and physical wellbeing of over-65s and urges policy makers to pay special attention to dance when looking at ways to promote fitness in older people.
The report shows how dancing is especially beneficial in improving the health and fitness of older people beyond other types of exercise. As well as improving coordination, reaction times, muscle endurance, flexibility, gait and strength – which all reduce the risk of falls in older people – it is proven to be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of conditions as diverse as dementia, arthritis and Parkinson’s disease. It also carries with it a social element which can help improve confidence and reduce isolation.
Ann Widdecombe and Anton du Beke are backing the ‘Shall We Dance’ campaign to improve access to dance for older people. The campaign is appealing for local dancers, dance troupes and dance teachers – of any style – to contact their local Bupa care home to share their passion for dance by performing for residents or teaching dance classes to people who have a range of mobility issues.
Ann Widdecombe said: “I support Bupa’s call to increase access to dancing for the over-65s. I discovered the benefits of dancing later in life; it’s a great social activity, good exercise and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s never too late to get out onto the dance floor.”
Anton Du Beke said : “As a professional dancer I know the health benefits of dance; it’s a great form of exercise, but it’s also fun. That means older people are more likely to keep dancing and enjoy the mental and physical benefits it brings, whatever their level.
Ann and Anton took part in dance demonstrations today with care home residents and their families from Bupa care homes around London.
Bupa’s report highlights that 80 per cent of men and 83 per cent of women aged 65-74 do not get the recommended levels of physical exercise. For over 75s this rises to 91 per cent for men and 94 per cent for women.
Dr Clive Bowman, medical director of Bupa Care Services said: “This lack of exercise matters because taking part in physical activity improves both the health and life expectancy of older people.
“Our report shows that physical activity can have a beneficial effect on life expectancy, as older people who carry out more intense physical activity for longer periods tends to live longer than those with more sedentary lifestyles.”
Tracey Fletcher, customer services director for Bupa Care Services said: “We already know our residents like dancing and many of them have fond memories of going to dances.
“Now we have the evidence from Our Keep Dancing report that dance is so good for older people’s wellbeing – we will be increasing the amount of dance activities in our care homes.”
Source : Bupa
