Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand what is was like for older women (78-92 years of age) who recently relocated to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) to participate in a five-week dance/dance movement therapy (DMT) class called Let's Keep Moving. Dance and DMT have many quality of life benefits for a range of populations (i.e. people with Parkinson's disease) but little is known about how dance/DMT might be beneficial for older adults as they adjust to relocation. Method: A phenomenological case method approach was selected to guide this study. Data were collected and triangulated from videotaped footage and field notes taken of the dance class and from focus group interviews with participants. Analysis revealed themes that had both structural and meaning units. Results: Being special and belonging, realizing a new and improved self, and moving better and feeling better were associated gains for participants. Having a teacher who was an authentic role model and provided inspiration was important/motivating to participants as well. Conclusions: Participation in dance/ DMT appears to help older women reduce relocation stress by fostering personal growth and social connectivity. Moreover, the precepts of Newman's Health as Expanding Consciousness appear to have utility in guiding thinking about health and quality of life for the old-old who are relocating to CRCCs.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.