Dance and donate to support dementia cafes

Key points:

• About one-in-six Australians will need specialist dementia support in just over 30 years
• Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia after coronary heart disease
• Umbrella Dementia Cafes promote well-being, autonomy and a better social connection for people living with dementia, manned by a passionate team of volunteers with an understanding of dementia
• To date, the organisation has facilitated over 600 dementia cafes in five

Humans have always turned to dance and music for distraction, healing and connection in times of trouble. In WWI it was the Foxtrot, Tango and Waltz; in WWII it was Jive, the Jitterbug and Swing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people of all ages flocked to TikTok to produce choreographed dance routines to pop music. 

Next month will see the inaugural Dance Against Dementia fundraiser kick-off, raising crucial donations for Umbrella Dementia Cafes in Victoria. 

The Umbrella Dementia Cafe team is hoping to raise $100,000 to open more support cafes at this event full of music, dance and fun. Choose to host your own party or attend a massive communal dance-a-thon in person on Saturday, September 16, at the Box Hill Town Hall. 

Like visiting an Umbrella Dementia Cafe, attendees can enjoy new connections through shared experiences at the dance event, including activities, conversations and opportunities to sing and dance together in an environment that encourages genuine interaction.

 Why we are scientifically wired for dance

• Research shows that regular dancing from the age of 30 can help reduce the onset of dementia and improve cognitive function
• Dancing is good for your heart, reduces stress levels, increases social interactions, improves flexibility, coordination, strength and balance, and increases energy
• Dancing increases serotonin levels, reduces depression and anxiety and contributes to overall improvements in mental health
• Dancing develops new neural connections in the brain and increases growth factors between the neurons, especially in regions involved in executive function, long-term memory and spatial recognition

Umbrella Dementia Cafe’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Founder and former Registered Nurse (RN) Kirsty Porter knows the importance of the dementia cafe model for older people living with dementia. 

After 25 years in nursing, Ms Porter established the first Umbrella Dementia Cafe in 2016, inspired by her personal experience with her grandmother’s dementia and after visiting a community dementia cafe in the United Kingdom while on a family holiday.

“With such a high population of people expected to be living with dementia, reportedly double the number in 2023, young people today will become the key developers and decision makers for better dementia care, design and innovation.”

Can’t attend the Umbrella Dementia Cafe community dance event? Drop in virtually to show your support and ensure more cafes open in the future.

Register yourself, a loved one or a team for the dancing event at the Dance Against Dementia website. 

To visit an Umbrella Dementia Cafe, register your attendance through their website.