Movement, Music, and Connection: Older Adults’ Experiences of Community Dance

ABSTRACT

This research explored how participation in community dance supports older adults’ aging journey through a theoretical framework of successful aging, physical literacy, and embodiment. Older adults (aged 71–87 years) with experience participating in a community dance class completed semi-structured interviews that were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Six themes were generated: (1) laughter, lightness, and feeling youthful; (2) the body comes back to life; (3) confidence can shine; (4) carried away by the music; (5) an opportunity to belong; and (6) contributing to the neighborhood spirit. Our findings suggest that dancing offers multidimensional benefits which can contribute to healthy, active aging.

KEYWORDS:

• Dance
• older adults
• successful aging
• physical literacy
• embodiment

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the University Heights Community Association, the Foothills Mennonite Church, the current and past dance educators of the class, and the class creator.

Disclosure statement

No funders had involvement with respect to design, data collection, analyses, interpretation, writing, or submission of this study. The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or financial involvement in any organization or entity with a direct financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada Insight Development Grant [430-2019-00378] and the Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging through the Barrie I. Strafford Master’s Scholarship.