Dressed in their finest rock ‘n’ roll gear, residents, staff and guests got grooving on the dance floor for Dance Against Dementia.
Held every September, the national event is the official fundraiser for Umbrella Dementia Cafes. It creates peer support groups for people living with dementia and their carers.
The facility-wide dance-a-thon and afternoon tea was organised by Care Support Coordinator Sharon Smith and the Susan Barton House team.
“Over 50 residents, staff and guests attended our rock ‘n’ roll themed event to raise funds for Dance Against Dementia,” said Sharon.
“In the three weeks leading up to the event, we held impromptu dance sessions. When staff played the song ‘Live Louder’ by Aussie artist Nathaniel, residents and team members would spontaneously break out some dance moves.
“Dance Against Dementia holds special meaning for me and I felt compelled to do something to support the cause,” Sharon explained. “I’ve been seeing some signs of neurological degeneration in my husband, he had to retire at age 58.”
“I’m also seeing more and more people in the community being diagnosed with dementia at younger ages, so I was really keen to get involved in the fundraising initiative,” she said.
The rock ‘n’ roll event at Susan Barton House raised nearly $1,000 for Umbrella Cafes. The cafes help to boost the self-esteem of people with dementia, as well as improve their emotional wellbeing, promote and maintain independence, and reduce the risk of isolation, loneliness and depression.
Over $57,000 was raised for Umbrella Dementia Cafes from dance events held by community groups nationally.
