Senior Spotlight: Building connection, joy, and inclusion during your golden years

Dementia affects millions, and while the challenges it poses are immense, growing efforts aim to support people living with dementia in ways that honor their dignity, creativity, and capacity for joy. 

Increasingly, communities are exploring how engaging activities — such as dance, music, and art — can positively impact people living with dementia and their families. These approaches emphasize seeing the person beyond the diagnosis, fostering inclusion and opportunities for meaningful connection. 

In Washoe County, the Dementia Friendly Washoe County Community Group offers a unique program called Dance With Me in partnership with the Ballroom of Reno. This program harnesses the power of dance not only as a joyful activity but also as a therapeutic tool that promotes community and well-being.

Research demonstrates that movement-based activities can support both mental and physical health. Dance, for example, engages multiple areas of the brain by combining physical movement with rhythm and memory, potentially offering cognitive benefits for people living with dementia. 

Learning a dance step or recalling a rhythm activates brain regions involved in memory, motor skills, and spatial awareness — areas often affected by dementia. 

Regular participation in activities like dance may even support neuroplasticity: the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections. By encouraging people living with dementia to engage in such activities, we give them opportunities to exercise both mind and body.

Equally important are the social benefits of structured programs. For people living with dementia and their care partners, social isolation is a common challenge. Everyday tasks can become overwhelming, leading many to withdraw from community life. 

Programs centered on enjoyable, community-based activities create a supportive space where participants can reconnect with others. This is especially meaningful for care partners, who gain a reprieve from direct support tasks and share joyful moments with their loved ones. 

Marc Lemon

These programs foster a sense of belonging and understanding, offering a shared experience that counters isolation. Beyond individual benefits, these initiatives play a crucial role in shifting societal perceptions of dementia. 

Rather than focusing solely on loss, they promote a strengths-based perspective, emphasizing the capabilities and creativity that people living with dementia retain. 

Programs like Dance With Me demonstrate that living with dementia does not diminish a person’s capacity for joy, connection, or expression. 

By creating inclusive spaces that celebrate the humanity of people living with dementia, communities can transform how they view and interact with individuals facing cognitive challenges. 

For the broader community, such programs underscore the importance of maintaining purposeful activities for people living with dementia. 

Supporting inclusive, therapeutic programs not only enhances the quality of life for participants but also reflects a collective commitment to compassionate care that values every individual. 

These initiatives remind us that a diagnosis does not overshadow a person’s ability to engage meaningfully in their community. 

Ultimately, programs like Dance With Me, which focus on engagement, connection, and physical movement, go beyond being mere activities. 

They embody a holistic approach to dementia care — one that respects individual dignity and creates moments of shared joy.

 As communities continue to expand these initiatives, they contribute to a more inclusive society where people living with dementia are seen, valued, and celebrated for their strengths and humanity. 

Interested in connecting with Dance With Me or other Dementia Friendly Nevada programs? Visit https://DFNV.org/ to learn more.