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Lesson Plan 4

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These are several videos and websites that I found inspiring which provided exercise/ choreography ideas to help me plan for my workshops

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1. Aim: To improve memory and cognitive function.

Objective: Encourage regular physical activity, such as brisk walking or dancing, to increase blood flow to the brain and promote the growth of new neurons.

2. Aim: To enhance strength and balance.

Objective: Incorporate strength training exercises, such as resistance training or yoga, to improve muscle strength and bone density, reducing the risk of falls and fractures.

3. Aim: To promote overall well-being and quality of life.

Objective: Encourage a variety of physical activities, including aerobic exercises and recreational activities, to boost energy levels, improve sleep, and increase self-confidence.

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Lesson Plan 1

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Lesson guide

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Lesson Plan 2

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Lesson guide

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This consent form helps to clarify expectations, protect both me the instructor and the participants, and ensure a smooth and legally sound operation of the workshop.

I gave a copy to the activities coordinator and kept a copy myself.

(This is a blank copy of the form to keep the signatures confidential)

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Lesson Plan 3

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(No date) NHS choices. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/sitting-exercises/ (Accessed: 25 May 2024).

Dance and dementia (2014) YouTube. Available at: https://youtu.be/wjnzXqnvoyo (Accessed: 25 May 2024).

Easy exercises to do while sitting (2015) YouTube. Available at: https://youtu.be/SaYDK_LH_uk (Accessed: 25 May 2024).

How a dance class is helping memory care patients: Power of healing (2021) YouTube. Available at: https://youtu.be/EZakczMBIy4 (Accessed: 25 May 2024).

How to increase muscle mass?: Strengthening exercises for the Elderly (Part 1 of 2): Upper Body (2012) YouTube. Available at: https://youtu.be/Ir5hQvakCww (Accessed: 25 May 2024).

(2023) The 10 best chair exercises for seniors: Stay active and healthy with ease, Senior Fitness. Available at: https://www.seniorfitness.org/chair-exercises-for-seniors/?utm_content=cmp-true (Accessed: 25 May 2024).

Seated exercises for older adults (2012) YouTube. Available at: https://youtu.be/8BcPHWGQO44 (Accessed: 25 May 2024).

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Being a more practical worker who feels that she gains more from doing more hands-on work, I decided that doing workshops was the best route to take for me. I thought of a way to give back to the elderly population, sharing my happiness via dancing with those who might not have the opportunity to do so.

Conducting a seated exercise/ dance workshop in a care home can offer lots of benefits to the residents…

It improves physical health as they may not get the facilities or opportunities so it can help their overall mobility and reduce risk of injuries. The seated exercises are great for the residents that are limited to mobility as they can still benefit and participate staying seated which includes everybody regardless of their physical capability.

It enhances their mental well being and can boost their mood, it also helps them interact with their peers and new people which can reduce depression, anxiety and even loneliness as at that age it can feel isolated especially being away from family and friends.

Having regular sessions/ workshops can help those struggling with dementia or other cognitive impairments, as regular exercises can provide a sense of routine and structure. It can also help those struggling with joint and chronic pain like arthritis as it can loosen and keep the joints flexible.

Lastly, it’s a fun way to keep moving with music and dances that are engaging and sociable, even a couple exercises a day can make a crucial difference to the elderly residence in a care home physically and mentally.

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Emails with the activities coordinator to organise the workshops

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Reflecting on my first workshop I felt very overwhelmed as I have never taught before so I was feeling very nervous especially as it was my first time meeting the residents as well, I think it would of helped if I had done an observation before I started but that wasn't possible as my original place I was meant to do my workshops at had an outbreak so no one was allowed in or out of the care home, therefore I had to find a new place to teach as soon as possible. Another reason was the new place I found to teach at was an hour away so going just to visit and meet them for 30 minutes just didn't seem worth it for a 2 hour round trip.

I struggled slightly with the projection and using the correct words as I was so nervous, but I was trying not to show it as I know if I was nervous or came across unsure, they would of felt unsure and held back also and I wanted to make them all feel as comfortable as possible.

In this first workshop I didn't use music from the very beginning, I started the warmup and exercises without music, and I think I got more nervous as they all didn't seem very engaged, so I knew for my second one to have the music on from the beginning and do all the exercises with music to keep them engaged and make it livelier. I also feel like I rushed the warmup exercises at the beginning as I wanted to move onto the more upbeat exercises/dancing section to make it more fun and enjoyable for them all so I didn't really stick to my time plan but that was also something I knew I needed to sort out for my second session.

As soon as I started the music, after finishing the warmup, I felt more at ease as the residents were more engaged and looked like they were enjoying it more and got more involved in the exercises which made me feel like I was doing a better job.

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Find out how to do these gentle sitting exercises to help improve mobility and prevent falls.

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How to Increase Muscle Mass? | Strengthening Exercises For The Elderly (Part 1 of 2): Upper Body

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How a dance class is helping memory care patients: Power of Healing

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The 10 Best Chair Exercises for Seniors: Stay Active and Healthy with Ease - Senior Fitness

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Read on to discover the 10 best chair exercises for seniors to boost mobility and well-being. Stay active and age gracefully with these routines!

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My playlists for the 4 workshops, I tried to choose either fun, upbeat songs to keep the workshops enjoyable, older songs for the residents to recognise and engage to songs they might of listened to when they were younger or well known dance songs that most people have heard of to sing and dance along too which brings the community together.

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My final workshop went well, it was a good outcome and I’m much happier than I thought I’d be as I didn’t have much confidence teaching but by the end of my sessions I found as if it was more rewarding than anything as the residents enjoyed and were all involved giving it their all.

With the participants I had I felt like I couldn’t of done anything harder or set exercises as they wouldn’t of been capable so the teaching method of showing and following was the best approach with this specific group.

I could have added in more exercises with therabands or ankle weights however with the time frame I had I couldn’t get enough resources in time or the right amount as I had more participants than I planned for.

The residents and the lady I was in contact with said they ‘would have loved to have me back for weekly workshops’, this reaction made me confident with the outcome of the sessions which I’m pleased about.

The only downfall I feel like I had was the timeframe as my original care home had an outbreak therefore I had to find somewhere new as soon as possible to complete my workshops. However the age group I had was slightly older than my original home so they were less capable of my initial session plans but I altered it for the new group.

I felt like every session I delivered they remembered a few of the steps/exercises and became more comfortable each week, the songs I used prompted a few participants and were more excited and enthusiastic to join in as the sessions continued.

I believe the repeated workshop I taught they gained more strength and cognitive function with each session with reaching definite overall well being, as one participant said ‘this has made my day, I’ve been looking forward to this workshop all week’ this made me delighted to come back every session to cheer them all up as this was my main goal.

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I felt like my second workshop went better than my first session as I felt a lot more prepared and organised. The first workshop I had some technical problems with my laptop so I had to use my phone for the music and get the events coordinator (Jackie) to record for me, however the second session I brought my iPad so I could film on my phone.

I feel more positive with the outcome of this session as everyone was more involved and attempted the exercises as well as they could which gave me the implication that my teaching was a lot clearer, and they understood the instructions and didn't find it too easy or too difficult and weren't too overwhelmed which made me more confident in myself.

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My third workshop went okay however I didn't feel like it went as well as my second session personally, they didn't seem as energetic but I’m not sure if it was my teaching or if it was because it was a Saturday afternoon and they seemed quite tired. On a more positive note, every session I did there was more and more residents joining in each which gave me more confidents as the word must have got around.

I still had some technical issues with my phone; therefore, this sessions video isn't that long but I did a full hour workshop with some small water breaks to give them some time to have a think about the dances/exercises.

They responded really well and did the exercises as well as they were capable of however I started losing some of  the ladies focus here and there but then I put an uplifting song on (lets twist again) which they may have recognised and it lit a lot of their faces up and joined along.