Improving social inclusion for Canadians with dementia and their carers through Sharing Dance
funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Alzheimer Society of Canada, and the Canada Research Chairs program (Mark Skinner, Trent University; Rachel Herron, Brandon University).
About the Project
The overall goal of this study is to investigate the potential to improve social inclusion of people living with dementia and their carers through the expansion of the Baycrest NBS Sharing Dance Seniors program. The research involves two Sharing Dance Seniors pilot studies in Peterborough, Ontario and in Brandon, Manitoba.
About Sharing Dance Seniors
An innovative, community-oriented dance program, Sharing Dance Seniors is a joint venture between Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS) and Baycrest Health Sciences. The Sharing Dance Seniors program is unique in Canada and internationally in its aim to make dance accessible to older adults with a range of physical and cognitive abilities, including people living with dementia. The program involves a suite of remotely instructed (streamed) dance sessions to participants in institutional and community settings with on-site facilitators supporting participants. The program is currently being piloted for nation-wide expansion as part of a multi-sectoral strategic partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada in collaboration with long-term (residential) care homes, regional home care providers, and community support agencies.
About Social Inclusion
Social inclusion is a complex, multi-dimensional process and outcome that results from supporting the rights for full participation with resources and services in relationships and activities across economic, social and cultural spheres[4].
The Team
Mark Skinner (Trent University)
Rachel Herron (Brandon University)
Pia Kontos (Toronto Rehabilitation Institute)
Verena Menec (University of Manitoba)
Rachel Bar (Canada's National Ballet School)
An Kosurko (Trent University)
Alisa Grigorovich (Toronto Rehabilitation Institute)
Academic Partners
“I felt able to enjoy the movement without fear of agonizing pain by moving something too abruptly or harshly… No pain, no gain type exercise is not for me!”
