“Tap Dancing Rhythm for Your Hands” is a new recreational music activity that is bringing fun and energy to nursing homes across the nation! Through music and activities, Dancing Hands stimulates the senses, stirs creativity, and exercises the memory. This product, which is manufactured by the disabled, brings endless possibilities for interaction.
Hand taps are created to be used recreationally and creatively in a relaxed atmosphere. There is no right or wrong way to use them. You can adapt the activities as you go. The possibilities are endless!
The Dancing Hands package includes 10 pairs of taps, an activity book with a CD, an additional CD and an instructional DVD for the leader.
Those who are older remember their own era as they tap to the tunes of the 20th century. The 17 sessions in the book bring memories of the good old days with Broadway, the circus, hobos, and the beginnings of entertainment.
All proceeds from Dancing Hands are used to promote the use of the arts in health care.
Testimonials:
“The whole point is….that it has to come from the heart. Anytime you tap with your hands or your feet, you have it in your heart. You have to get tuned in.”
Ted, a 90 year old who has resided at Liberty Village in Muncie, IN
“Dancing Hands excites our residents and causes them to be more energetic and more active.”
Mary Augustine, activity director for a Palm Beach nursing home
“We are a continuous care facility and all three levels used this product and LOVED it. We had residents moving to music that would never consider exercise or ROM. We even had one that informed us that we were off tune, and then proceeded to show us the right way! This person is in the secured unit. The staff tried this product and had as much fun as the residents. I would HIGHLY recommend this product.”
Nyleen Lonski, ADC, Resource Reviewer for NCCAP
Social… and Therapeutic
A blind resident was able to join in immediately. Music programs are very dear to her and she can really participate with Dancing Hands.
Residents with severe arthritis have been playing Dancing Hands and say it’s fun, it’s easy, and they have very little arthritic pain compared to other activities.
One resident with right side paralysis is actually using her affected hand in changing position of her hand while she is playing.
A resident that is a former violinist enjoys being involved with music again, and is excited with how easy the Dancing Hands are to play.
And of course there is a tremendous amount of socializing during the program, which makes it twice as therapeutic. The selected music is wonderful and stimulating.
David Smith, Administrator of Lake Placid Health Care, Florida
The Magic Behind the Making
Hand taps are made one by one with a personal touch. After they are assembled by hand, they are packaged into either boxes of ten or One-on-One sets. The true magic of these hand taps lies in their creators, rather than just the creations.
Cannon Industries of Hillcroft Services in Muncie, Indiana manufactures Dancing Hands hand taps and employs the disabled. Kent Wood is one of the employees who works hard to make quality hand taps. “Woody” likes to talk about the hand taps. He calls them “Happy Hands”. Occasionally, during some “quality testing”, Woody taps out a playful rhythm.
Jammin’ with Jourdan
Jourdan videotaped a demo to include in Dancing Hands Activity Packs. She had not played handtaps to music and wanted to try it. She placed herself with Laurie on the other side of the camera and they had an unrehearsed jam session.
When used recreationally, Dancing Hands is stress relieving and fun. You just do it! You can’t do it wrong. As you can see, they were not concerned with perfection. They weren’t always on beat, but they definitely had fun.
Dancing Hands is Cross-GenerationalTeens hand-tapping with skilled nursing care residents.