In 2004 I was hired by several Assisted Living homes, as their Activity director to give their residents trivia, exercise, movement and dance. Many of the residents were unstable when standing, so I put my experience in Physical Education, Dance and Exercise since graduating over 30 years ago.
I was also employed as a care giver by Aspen Senior Care where I did an in-service helping other care givers do exercise and dance from a chair. My boss was so impressed that he encouraged me to think of a name, and register it with the State as a sole proprietor. So I came up with the name Sit and Dance for Seniors.
The success of Sit and Dance for seniors grew as I contacted other facilities and offered complimentary classes. These facilities like the program and saw the benefit of it to the facilities and their seniors and therefore hired me to return between one and four times a month.
When I started back in 2004, I had no idea how seniors would respond to my curriculum. It was trial and error. But every place that I went, I was received very favorably and the seniors looked forward to seeing me return each week. I see a visible difference every day of how Sit and Dance for Seniors has changed the lives of so many of the residents where I teach. I even have a facility where the residents chant “We want Becky, We want Becky!” as they wait for me to show up each week. Responses like these reinforce to me, that Sit and Dance for Seniors really makes a difference.
To some it may seem like the natural progression of a business to put your product in a medium where it will be able to be offered to more people, but my desire to release performances on video is much more than that. I have seen an increase of strength and agility in the Seniors that have participated in it for a long time. Seniors that have been doing it for two times a week for the past year and a half, have not only increased their abilities, but have a happier outlook on life and love to have me come and teach. Those who are feeling down or sad when I first get there are usually happy by the time I leave. I get hugs and praises, which is remarkably rewarding and uplifting to me. I so enjoy this and wonder why I didn't start earlier. It has been so good for so many seniors; it should be accessible to all of them.
Much of what I know about caring for seniors I learned while caring for my ailing mother who had Alzheimer Disease. I learned to really understand that her needs were not only important, but a priority, to never talk down to her, to respect her as an individual, and to ask her permission before doing anything. I have found these things very valuable as I have taught Seniors since then. To never assume, to force, or coerce and to always treat them with respect and the honor they deserve.
In caring for my Mother I noticed how Music played a part in bringing her back to reality. When she danced with my father to big band music, she would just light right up. She always responded to music. Seniors know that it is good for them, and the music and dance make it fun to do and remember. Their memories motivate and take them away from the fact that they are getting old, they have arthritis, or that they are confined to a wheel chair or walker.
I was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho and am the oldest of six children. My family moved many times as a child. I lived in wonderful places such as, Albuquerque New Mexico, Ontario Oregon, Santa Barbara California, but have spent most of my life in Salt Lake City Utah.
I graduated in Dance from Brigham Young University where I participated for two years in the Orchesis Modern Dance Group, and then spent two years with the B.Y.U Folk Dancers. I was able to travel and perform with those groups in Minnesota, California, and New York City. I love to tell everyone, that I have "danced on Broadway"
As a Professional Dance and Exercise teacher I have over 30 years of teaching experience. I started right out of high school teaching dance for children. I trained at Brigham Young University and with the Virginia Tanner Children's Creative Dance, taught with several studios in Salt Lake City, Utah area, and in the Brigham Young University Children's Dance Department, as well as privately. www.linkingseniors.com, linking seniors, link seniors, kinetic-pictures, kinetic pictuers
