Resident Participant Wellness Data

Description

Feedback from our seated dance classes reveals a clear and encouraging pattern: residents living with Parkinson’s and dementia consistently experience meaningful benefits across physical, emotional, and social dimensions of well-being. Among the ten areas assessed, the strongest ratings were for sense of belonging and community (4.2/5), anticipation and excitement for class (4.1/5), and feelings of accomplishment (3.9/5). These findings demonstrate that the program offers much more than gentle movement—it fosters connection, support, and emotional uplift. Many participants highlighted how much they enjoyed engaging with volunteers, often describing the shared energy and togetherness as the most rewarding aspects of the class.

Physical and emotional outcomes were also notably positive. Participants reported increased energy and activation (3.3/5), improved mood and happiness (3.6/5), and greater feelings of calm (3.0/5), reflecting the well-established benefits of rhythm-based seated movement for individuals with limited mobility. While confidence in movement and walking varied between participants, overall trends remained positive, particularly for those who attended classes regularly. Even residents with more significant physical limitations reported strong emotional and social improvements, underscoring the program’s accessibility and broad impact.

Perhaps most telling is that residents consistently described the class as something they eagerly anticipate—a meaningful highlight of their week that brings joy, routine, and human connection. Participant comments such as “everybody involved,” “the girls are very good,” and “uplifting” capture the warmth and emotional depth of the experience. Together in Motion is not only supporting physical movement, but also nurturing a sense of being seen, valued, and included. These outcomes affirm our mission: to move together, laugh together, and heal together—one class at a time.