Although your mom or dad may not be as graceful as a lead ballerina or a male lead, often known as the male ballet dancer or danseur, the free-form movement of ballet has been associated with lessening the rigidity of joints brought on by Parkinson’s disease. Concentrating on the movement allows the brain to re-circuit itself, stopping the tremors if even for a few moments while dancing and swaying to the music. With the assistance of home care providers, your loved one will gain the confidence they may need to get up and tap their feet.
Home care providers suggest that seniors who participate in ballet exercises lose themselves in the routine and forget about their disease. Instead of Parkinson’s controlling their brain, they are controlling the Parkinson’s. Too often this disease creates a blank face mask for most adults. The disease takes over their thought process and they forget how to smile. However, when they join these exercise programs and feel the increased muscle control they are regaining, their smiles tend to return. Attending these ballet programs with their home care providers creates a bond. The senior caregiver becomes an extension of this program that supports the reduction of the tremors and rigidity.
The purpose of the ballet music exercises is to improve movement, mobility and quality of life. The exercise classes do that and so much more. They bring seniors together and provide an outlet for socializing, something that too many seniors with Parkinson’s shy away from. With tremors and rigidity, the average Parkinson’s suffer finds it difficult to share in a conversation. However, through the music, ballet therapy that facilitates rewiring of the brain provides additional benefits that include conversation and sharing. The emotional and psychological benefits are immeasurable.
Your parent’s home care provider may add music and movement to their daily routine giving mom or dad the opportunity each day to escape the prison of Parkinson’s disease.
