Age is no barrier to moving to music on International Dance Day

The Love to Move class, run by Right at Home GF, is proving you are never too old to enjoy moving to music, on this year’s International Dance Day (29 April). Right at Home GF, a local home care provider, offers the Love to Move exercise sessions to all local older people and people with dementia together with their carers each week in Farnham Memorial Hall.

“Love to Move is a weekly seated exercise class for older people and particularly people with dementia, to help them stay active whatever their age or stage of life. International Dance Day is a worldwide celebration of dance but it’s not just for young people or professionals; movement to music is great for all ages, as we prove each week,” says Hayley Thaysen who runs the class. “Lots of the men and women in our class enjoyed dancing or an active lifestyle in their younger years and although they may no longer be able to maintain that activity unaided, we don’t want that to stop them from continuing to enjoy the physical, mental and wellbeing benefits of moving to music.”

Love to Move exercises your whole body and includes clapping and partner work to help participants maintain and improve their co-ordination and even cognitive function. Each session begins with a gentle warm-up and incorporates music to encourage movement and rhythm. Right at Home GF emphasises the importance of helping people stay active for as long as possible to help them live with as much independence and enjoyment as they can, particularly through social activities.

Hayley explains: “I see participants’ mobility, strength and muscle memory progress over a period of time which is excellent for their health and quality of life. Our class shows that the enjoyment of moving to music stays with us our whole lives and whether you are 8 or 80, it lifts your spirits and is great for your health.”

Love to Move takes place each Tuesday at Farnham Memorial Hall, West Street, Farnham from 10.30-11.45am. Tickets are £5 per participant and free for accompanying carers. Booking is not required. Moreinformation is on the Right at Home GF website.

International Dance Day is an initiative from the International Theatre Institute, the performing arts partner of UNESCO. 2022 is the fortieth anniversary of the awareness day.