Dance/Movement Therapy and a Positive Impact on Sense of Self for Individuals Living with Dementia: Development of a Method

Individuals living with dementia suffer from degenerative cognitive functioning, which in turn makes it difficult for language, emotions, social behavior, reasoning, balance, muscle function and automatic functions. The researcher reviewed literature available to better ground themselves in the importance of recognizing and expanding sense of self for those living with dementia. A dance/movement therapy group focused on prop work in a residential memory care facility with men and women living with different forms of dementia was formed. Verbal and non-verbal responses were recorded in regard to three therapeutic themes: body autonomy, prop work, and therapeutic touch. Results from the self-observations showed an impact on the ability of individuals living with dementia to expand upon their sense of self by demonstrating positive body autonomy, granting permission of therapeutic touch, and exploring a prop authentically