MemoryMOVESⓇ Summer 2023

ABOUT MemoryMOVESⓇ

KDA has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Kern County, Inc. (ADAKC) by offering MemoryMOVESⓇ: DANCE + THERAPY for memory-impaired clients. In collaboration with registered Dance/Movement Therapist, Elena Rezai, MemoryMOVESⓇ will utilize Dance/Movement Therapy as a modality of support and offer clients, staff and caregivers alike, a glimpse into the transformative power of movement.

MemoryMOVESⓇ ENROLLMENT

MemoryMOVESⓇ participants must be currently enrolled in the ADAKC Day Program to participate in this initial MemoryMOVESⓇ program. Individuals interested in enrolling in the ADAKC Adult Day program can contact ADAKC Family Services Dept at 665-8871 for specific admission criteria and costs. For more information about all of ADAKC services and to take a virtual tour visit www.ADAKC.org

ABOUT DANCE/MOVEMENT THERAPIST, ELENA REZAI

Elena grew up in California and started dancing at the age of 5. She received her BA in Dance from UC Irvine, and went on to receive her MA in Dance/Movement Therapy & Counseling from Columbia College Chicago. She has used her experience as a Dance/Movement Therapist in a number of inpatient and outpatient hospital settings and care facilities, working with people from a diversity of backgrounds and age-groups. She loves building community through movement, and facilitating spaces where movement can foster the physical, emotional and mental integration of the individual.

WHY DANCE/MOVEMENT THERAPY?

Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) offers many benefits for individuals experiencing the effects of Dementia and Alzheimer’s and is commonly utilized with memory-impaired patients. According to the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) “DMT participation enhances coping skills for this population…compensates for sensory deficits…” and “engages the sensory systems and stimulates the physical, emotional and cognitive areas of functioning.” (ADTA, 2016). DMT helps increase socialization and interaction in a population that can find itself becoming increasingly isolated and frustrated with decreased cognitive abilities. It facilitates mind/body connection, presence, and functional mobility and flexibility, and can help mitigate symptoms commonly associated with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, such as agitation and sadness. Dancing often elicits positive memories, and can help clients recall joyous moments, increasing quality of life and leading to brightened affect. This 7-week program aims to utilize DMT as a modality to support all of the above-mentioned goals, and to offer clients, staff and caregivers alike a glimpse into the transformative power of movement.

Additional opportunities will be presented for ADAKC staff and caregivers to learn more about DMT and its benefits, both with those they care for and in their own lives.

A TYPICAL MemoryMOVESⓇ SESSION

All DMT groups will take place in the ADAKC main facility in one of the rooms available to clients. Groups generally take place in a circle, with participants facing each other, sitting in chairs to offer stability and balance, although clients may stand up to dance during sessions.

10 minutes: Check In and Body Part Warm-Up.
The therapist uses this time to observe each participant’s movement patterns and affect, and may do movement and verbal check-ins, such as asking participants to offer an opening movement or share one word about their current mood. Clients improvisationally warm up every part of their body, keeping in mind that range of motion may be limited. The Dance/Movement Therapist may encourage clients to stretch, make eye contact, or increase range of motion during the warm-up.
20-30 minutes: Movement and Thematic Development
This forms the majority of the session, and is used to address specific goals of the session through movement. The therapist may utilize a number of DMT modalities to support goals, such as use of props, improvisation, use of rhythm and repetition, and a combination of dance and verbal processing.
5-10 minutes: Cool Down and Closing
The therapist will facilitate a body cool-down and closing, that will include breath-work and consciously slowing down movements to bring the group to a natural close. Movement and verbal cues may also be used, such as asking each participant to share a closing movement or positive word.

MemoryMOVESⓇ GOALS

Increased cognitive functioning and recall
Supporting DMT modality: use of movement pattern and ritual (consistent and predictable opening and closing patterns of groups.)
Functional mobility and increased range of motion
Supporting DMT modality: Effort modulation*, use of props.
Mind/body connection
Supporting DMT modality: grounding, orienting to time/space through movement. Verbal identification of mental process while moving.
Relief from depression and anxiety/increased joy and happiness
Supporting DMT modality: effort modulation, use of music, group rhythmic action
Brightened affect
Supporting DMT modality: Effort modulation
Increased social interaction
Supporting DMT modality: group rhythmic action, use of props