THERE are two clear patterns that emerge in Pam Jarvis' Gentle Tango classes.
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One is the way the music, the moves or the afternoon tea spread can transport people back to happy memories - often when they were young and falling in love at dinner-dances.
The other, with repeated training, is the way the brain can create new neurological pathways or tap into muscle memory.
There are always challenges, but Ms Jarvis said the emphasis was on a safe, happy environment because no-one learns well under stress.
Gentle Tango was developed with Geelong as a form of exercise and social engagement for people living with dementia. Classes will launch in Ballarat with a special introductory session at Holy Trinity Church in Sebastopol on Saturday ahead of weekly classes.
"You cannot tell the difference on the dance floor who are those with dementia," Ms Jarvis said.
"My approach is if you make life better while you're living and do new dances or listen to music you haven't heard before, that's wonderful.
"So many things people value are taken away from them with a dementia diagnosis. Dancing the tango, the skills you're learning, you can dance anywhere."
More than 3,100 Ballarat people are living with dementia. This number is projected to increase to almost 4,300 people in the next decade and 7,000 by 2058, according to Dementia Australia.
There are many, varying forms of dementia - for some it might be about living in the moment, for others it might be about living in the past - but Ms Jarvis said a sense of achievement, like in learning dance steps, is important for everyone.
"You find inside brain disorders, there is always the person who was there," Ms Jarvis said. "Music, dance, touch, socialisation and valuing people is all part of it."
Gentle Tango was formed when Ms Jarvis, a teacher with Southern Cross Tango, looked further into her interest in dancing's potential for brain health and initiated a project with Dementia Australia. The project, for people living with dementia, their carers and family, has also attracted other dancers with health conditions like brain tumours and chronic arthritis.
Ms Jarvis is joining forces with respected Melbourne teacher Dianne Heywood-Smith from dance school The Tangueria to lead the Ballarat classes.
They arrive at the suggestion of dementia consultants from Dementia Australia in Ballarat and are keen to tap into the strong work in this region to raise awareness of the disease and how to be more dementia-friendly.
Gentle Tango classes will be at Holy Trinity Church in Sebastopol on Wednesdays, 2-3.30pm. This Saturday's tea dance is from 2pm with dancers from Geelong, Lara, Melbourne and Sunbury coming to show their support on the dance floor.
To book, contact Pam on 0417 531 619 or Dianne on 0418 331 638.
A DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY BALLARAT
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