Florida was a great place to be for the NAAP Convention. We enjoyed all the smiling faces…and “tappers” who came to the Dancing Hands table.   We took a photo of the co-chairs for next years National Association for Activity Professionals convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico (top left).  You can see them in the yellow shirts with the hot air balloons….Laura Rhodes and Kenni Barnett….with friends. 

We drew names for winners.  Here are some of them (left to right):  Eileen Miller from Oakland Park, Kansas, Beth Hampton from Montevideo, Minnesota, and Cheryl Meeks, with Linda Prusak, from Ormond Beach, Florida.   Happy tapping!

Click on the thumbnail photos to see larger version.

Tapping Tunes for Dancing Hands is a fun-filled bunch of bouncy tunes that bring back memories….memories that energized the soul.  There is international flavor along with old songs from the 20’s.  There are several new ones written especially for Dancing Hands.  Honky Tonk is especially fun.  This CD will be a new addition to all the elderly packs.  This means when you buy a set, you will receive a book with CD and also this new CD.

“I am recreation therapist at a skilled nursing facility, and Dancing Hands was brought to my attention by the marketing director. She thought it would be a fun activity for nursing home week, but she had no idea how therapeutic this program can be.  A lot of our residents used to be avid dancers, but many of them can’t do it anymore due to illness or disability. Your product will be a great way to raise their spirits! Thanks so much!”

Amber Gerber, CTRS, Colorado

Amanda Good is the activity director at the Health Care and Rehabilitation in Parker City. She has initiated a group called Toe Tappers. She explained that they can tap their toes while they tap dance with their hands. It is a Western theme for the month of April, and Amanda has chosen Western Gospel for improvisational tapping. Amanda believes that many of the residents, are discovering something new….it is their own inner rhythms!

“Dancing Hands is an innovative way to incorporate music and physical exercise for those who are not able to attend regular exercise sessions.” Amanda Good, Activity Director, Parker City, Indiana

The folks at Hand-in-Hand Adult Day Care of Richmond, Indiana, are enjoying the new activity that has been added to their schedule. As you can see in the photos, there are many ways to hold hand taps, and tapping to reflect each personality! Thank you, Mary, for the photos!