Making a move on dementia awareness

Dancing with the Stars choreographer Alana Patience will lead a spectacular display of colour and movement this March as seniors from UnitingCare Ageing facilities in NSW put on their dancing shoes to raise awareness for dementia.

Ms Patience has come up with a dance routine to cater to all levels of mobility, so over-55s and their friends can get their endorphins up and groove on.

The inaugural Big Move aims to defy the stereotype that people living in care are inactive and inert.

As a part of NSW Seniors week, the event hopes to raise $20 thousand for dementia research and support for carers.

UnitingCare Ageing Director Steve Teulan said one in ten people over 65 in Australia are estimated to have dementia.

“As the population continues to age, we can expect to see these numbers steadily increasing,” Mr Teulan said.

Mr Teulan hopes to attract as many people as possible to the event this month.

“Everyone in the community is welcome to come along and make this a real celebration, as well as help raise funds for a good cause,” he said.

The main events will take place at the Sydney Town Hall and key regional centres in NSW, Lismore, Newcastle, Orange and Wollongong on Monday March 17 at 10.30am.

Those who are unable to attend can tune into 101.7 WSFM for a live broadcast.

Through Web2TV, residents at UnitingCare Ageing have access to the live broadcast of the event through their TV sets.

Web2TV is an internal television channel for residents of aged care and retirement villages, co-founded by Aged Care Online Managing Director Ben Hannemann.

“Web2TV is proud to be partnering with 101.7 WSFM in broadcasting this event live to UnitingCare residents and the broader community,” Mr Hannemann said.

“It is great to see our technology extending the reach of this great event.”                                         

If you would like to contribute to The Big Move cause, please register here.