Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.3935/rsp.v21i2.1186
The Role of Dance in the Improvement of Active Lifestyle and Quality of Life of Older People
Snježana Marasović
; Hrvatsko narodno kazalište u Zagrebu
Slavica Blažeka Kokorić
; Studijski centar za socijalni rad
Abstract
An active lifestyle can improve various aspects of the life quality in older adults. Regardless of the age, each person is capable for some type of physical activity. Ageing is not a limitation factor for an active lifestyle and for the inclusion of older adults in organized dancing activities. In introduction, the paper presents the current knowledge about the role of the dance in human life in the ontological and anthropological sense, and also describes the dance functions in the older adult age. In the central part, the paper shows the results of a qualitative research based on in-depth interviews conducted with 10 retirees who were involved in dancing activities in the Association of Pensioners New Brestje. The goal of the research is to achieve a better understanding of the older adults’ experiences in dancing activities, and to gain insight into their attitudes and expectations from their participation in organized dancing activities. The results show that retirees who are actively engaged in dancing activities usually have a positive experience in practicing dancing in earlier periods of their life. The participants described experience with the dance as a constructive way of their adaption to changed life circumstances connected with the loss of their previous roles (at work, in the family). The results show that the participation of older adults in dancing activities improves their social inclusion, life satisfaction, self-confidence, physical condition and feeling of acceptance and support from the environment. The participants emphasize the high level of motivation of their engagement in dancing activities, because they recognize this activity as a good way to maintain a homeostatic balance in their life, to enrich their inner life, to fulfil leisure time with cheerful and calming activity which brings strength to cope with everyday problems. Through participating in dancing activities, the older adults expect to maintain health and physical activity, to strengthen their relationships within the peer group, and to gain therapeutic effects for mental health improvement and support for constructive coping with difficulties. Health problems and structural factor associated with the lack of an adequate supply to provide dancing activities in the community are recognised by the participants as barriers for their engagement in organized dancing activities.
Keywords
active lifestyle; dancing activities; improving life quality
Hrčak ID:
125769
URI
Publication date:
31.7.2014.
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