Joio
“‘It is so invigorating and great to have another way to connect with people...as well as connecting, you get the health benefits of cardio, stretching and the music makes it fun. It’s a continuous circle of feel-good.’”
By 2043, the aged 65 and over population is projected to increase by 25.2% . Over the same period, the aged 80 and over population is expected to increase by 63.7% (Welsh Gov, 2018).
According to the Future trends report (Welsh Gov, 2021), these projections indicate a substantial rise in demand in the health and social care sector. Future trends report also says, the old age dependency ratio will increase over time as the number of pensioners grows faster than the number of working-age people.
As Powys has a higher than the Welsh average of older people this dependency ratio will cause increasing pressure on future generations in Powys. Due to the rurality of Powys, it is sometimes very difficult to place people in a care home within or near their community. There are challenges for independent living, especially isolation and loneliness which can increase as people get older.
With this in mind Impelo has focused on regular programme and project working with 65 plus. Creating work with ageing bodies and the joy of dance at its heart.
Joio is a co-created dance programme for people living with and alongside dementia to improve connection, mental and physical well being in partnership with Dementia Matters in Powys. The programme was initially funded through the Y Lab Nourish programme
Rather than a prosaic series of exercises designed to improve physical health, we weave creativity through and around dance to increase happiness and improve wellbeing. One of the most beautiful things was the expressive movements and touch rather than a focus on functional movement
The relationship between dancers built over tea, lunch and dancing means that there is great trust developed which supports participants agency/empowerment and choice not least in the playlists!
For people living with and alongside dementia it also gives the opportunity to share happy times together where often their relationships are day to day carer and cared for - dancing together allows them the space to be a couple again.
We co-created an evaluation which mixed some standardised questions with participants' own aspirations. We found that people felt stronger, more confident about their mobility and flexibility and had valued connection and sharing fun times. There was also an increase in creative risk taking and agency as evidenced by our regular choreography corner where participants lead the dancing.
“Dancing on a Friday keeps me going and happy through the weekend.”