Why We Do It
The Cotillion Dance Company has created a program of dancing, socializing, and fun for the growing population of seniors in the St. Louis area that provides significant health benefits beyond those offered by exercise programs alone. The need for this unique and beneficial program is demonstrated by the following data.
Growth of senior population
The country has seen over the past number of years a dramatic increase in the population of seniors (folks over the age of 60) and in the corresponding numbers of retiring seniors. These changes have been well documented over the years by studies at all levels of governmental and private organizations. This situation is projected to continue to have a significant impact on the population data within all areas of the United States.
Growth of senior residential communities
As a result of this massive population shift there has been a corresponding dramatic increase in the number of senior residential communities ranging from independent and assisted living to full care nursing facilities. The growth of independent and assisted living communities in the St. Louis area has been spectacular. A recent census of independent and assisted living facilities of all social and economic targets showed that there were more than 200 such communities in the greater metro area.
Medical Research Background
Based on the demographic changes and results of medical research shown below the COTILLION DANCE COMPANY (CDC) has developed programs that meet the needs of seniors living independently and those living in independent and assisted living communities by providing healthful, entertaining, exciting, and fun activities for the seniors throughout the St. Louis area. These programs include dancing (beginning and advanced lessons, social dances, and other activities) while promoting and expanding social interaction for participants.
The Cotillion Dance Company's programs were developed with the following in mind. There is an impressive number of medical studies (both U.S. and international) establishing the overwhelming evidence that ballroom dancing provides significant physical and mental health benefits for people as they age. The following details just a few of such research findings that impact the CDC programs.
Research at the St. Louis University School of Nursing conducted with a group of seniors (average age 80) all of whom suffered from knee and hip issues to the extent that they routinely used medications to control the associated pain. After twelve weeks of low impact dancing it was found that the usage of the pain meds was reduced almost 40%.
A report in the New England Journal of Medicine followed a group of seniors over the age of 75 for a period of 21 years. The study sought to examine how certain activities could build brain functioning and lower senior’s chances for having Alzheimer’s disease. Older adults participated in reading, bicycling and swimming, crossword puzzles, golf and dancing as researchers examined the connection to dementia. Of these activities dancing reaped the greatest results with the researchers finding that seniors who danced were 76 per cent less likely to develop dementia.
A study conducted by researchers from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro found that seniors who regularly participated in ballroom dancing reported improved balance and were less likely to fall. As reported in Reuters the researchers noted that participating seniors improved their balance by 50 per cent and effectively boosted brain and body strength. ***
The improved balance capability is a major benefit to help participating seniors reduce the risk of falling which, based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention data that one in three seniors 65 and over fall annually with resultant total medical costs exceeding $4 billion annually, is a significant health factor for seniors.
Lastly, but most importantly, these referenced studies and the wide list of other related studies all found the dance activities were particularly effective in that the participants loved the activities, looked forward to participating, and thought it to be fun.
Sources:
** http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa022252#t=article
*** Federici, A., Bellagamba, S. & Rocchi, M.B.L. Aging Clin Exp Res (2005) 17: 385. doi:10.1007/BF03324627