The Exercise That Staves Off Dementia and Alzheimer’s

As retirees, many of us fret that we might one day succumb to dementia or Alzheimer’s. No one wants to become dependent on others during their golden years.

Fortunately, dancing increases cognitive acuity in all age groups. The New England Journal of Medicine published the results of a 21-year study of senior citizens, aged 75 to 85. The researchers discovered that the only physical exercise that provided protection from both dementia and Alzheimer’s was… dancing. Frequent dancing, whether partnered or solo, provided a 76% risk reduction!

As we age, our brain cells die… brain synapses weaken… we start forgetting friends’ names… and when a single neural connection to a name fades, we lose access to it. But dancing, as a physical and social activity, helps our brains develop neural plasticity.

From Zumba to the Foxtrot in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

When my husband Mike and I moved to Belize, I assumed we’d be able to regularly dance the salsa and the swing. But we didn’t find consistent options to learn and practice various styles of dancing. So we focused on yoga, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and walking… and occasionally, dancing barefoot on the beach to live rock and roll bands!

Then, on our first trip to San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico, we noticed an Arthur Murray dance studio. We were delighted to find an open, spacious ballroom with a professional wood dance floor, a type of floor that is easy on our aging joints.

After that, I was sold on San Miguel.

Finding an Active Community

When we first moved, I joined a Zumba aerobics class in Parque Juarez on Saturday mornings. It’s held outdoors on an athletic court, surrounded by towering trees and lush gardens.

Cesar, the energetic teacher, makes it fun. No partner is needed, and all kinds of peopleof different ages, sizes, and skill levels—locals and expats alike—attend this class. Some of the fellows who attend are in their 70s and 80s… it always tickles me to watch the senior guys having a blast in the Zumba class. No one cares if you flub or modify the steps.

But if that’s not for you, there are many other dance options to choose from…

Boogie to the Beat of Your Own Drum

In addition to group Zumba classes, my husband Mike and I began a series of classes to learn the most popular Latin dances. Now, we’re comfortable dancing the salsa, cumbia, rumba, cha-cha, and bachata, and we’re working on the more traditional ballroom dances: the fox trot, waltz, and tango.

In doing so, we’ve developed a wonderful social network of dance friends. We go out for dinner and dancing regularly as a group. And while I never expected to be performing in dance shows at this point in life, that’s exactly what we’re now doing. Sometimes Mike and I perform together, while other times we perform with our dance instructors.

You don’t need to be an accomplished dancer to benefit from dancing. We have friends who love to dance but boogie to live bands… and to the beat of their own drummer. After all, as retirees, we’ve earned the right to be free spirits.

One caveat: ask your doctor if you have any concerns about a dance regime. For retirees who have serious joint issues, dancing may not be optimal. But for those who have osteoarthritis but are able to walk, exercise that strengthens the leg muscles can protect the joints.