Dance, Art Boost Memories For Alzheimer's Patients

Dance, Art Boost Memories For Alzheimer's Patients
WOLFRATSHAUSEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 15: An inhabitant of a residential care home for Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients dances together with a social therapist on November 15, 2011 in Wolfratshausen, Germany. (Photo by Alexandra Beier/Getty Images)
WOLFRATSHAUSEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 15: An inhabitant of a residential care home for Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients dances together with a social therapist on November 15, 2011 in Wolfratshausen, Germany. (Photo by Alexandra Beier/Getty Images)

"Are you ready to get on your feet today?" dance teacher Dana Hart exhorts a dozen or so seniors and their caregivers gathered in the common room at the nursing home. At first, the elders look anything but ready, slowly rising from their chairs to their feet.

But over the next 45 minutes, many begin to move to Hart's directions. Yes, some shuffle. Others remain in their wheelchairs, stretching out their legs in time or clapping their hands. All smile.

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