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.

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)

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.