Uniting Care is engaging local communities through their program "The Big Move - Dancing for Dementia". The program held dance events in shopping centers across NSW and ACT on March 9, 2015 to raise awareness of dementia and promote social inclusion of those affected. By 2018, there will be more Australians over 60 than under 60, so communities must adapt to support the needs of older residents. "The Big Move" used dance in public spaces like shopping centers to reorient social activities and encourage people to look out for those who appear lost or needing assistance. The goals were to promote social inclusion, support those with dementia and their families, and change social norms to be more attentive to vulnerable community members in public settings.

1. Draft Abstract Arts & Health Australia Conference 17-19 November 2015 (Closes 31
st
July 2015)
2015wderuyter@unitingcarenswact.org.au ph 0417419238
‘Engaging Our Local Community’
Uniting Care NSW/ACT
The Big Move – Dancing for Dementia
Précis:- “Dementia is the single greatest cause of disability in older Australians aged 65 yrs or older
and the third leading cause of disability burden overall1
”. Uniting Care through the “Big-Move”
http://thebigmove.org.au/ is engaging the community through dance.
Big Move Stockland Nowra 9 March 2015
Background:- By 2018 there will be more
people in Australia aged over sixty than less
than sixty. The challenge for our community
is how we reorientate social and physical
capitali
.
An example of how we reorientate social
capital is the reasons why we congregate
and use public spaces. Traditionally this has
been in the town squareii
. A modern day
example of a town square is the shopping
centre
which
attracts a full cross section of the community. For many people its
attraction is to experience a form of social inclusion.
For many people with dementia their “bucket list” priority is to get
out the front door after they experienced being lost. In a recent
Federal Government study more than half of the respondents
stated… “a fear of becoming lost was a major barrier to them
going out and enjoying activities”. https://www.aacqa.gov.au/about-
us/the-standard/february-2015/social-isolation-still-a-major-issue-for-
people-with-dementia .
For many their first place they become lost in is their local
Shopping Centre.
On 9th
March 2015 Uniting Care held the “Big Move”. Across NSW ACT In association with
Alzheimer’s Australia, Stocklands, Schools and Councils the Big Move was the first to be held
nationally in local shopping centres such as Shellharbour Square and Nowra Fair. By using danceas
1
http://www.fightdementia.org.au/understanding-dementia/statistics.aspx
Dance and be part of
the fun and part of
the solution with
Uniting Care,
Stocklands, Schools,
Congregations & your
Local Council.

2. Draft Abstract Arts & Health Australia Conference 17-19 November 2015 (Closes 31
st
July 2015)
2015wderuyter@unitingcarenswact.org.au ph 0417419238
the medium for the message of awareness we can reorientate the use of the ‘public square’ to
promote the message of the Big Move, which is social inclusion.
Strategy:- The Big Move held on the 9th
March 2015, leading into senior’s week 2015 adopted the
strategy of supporting the age friendly regional initiative. The purpose is to establish the use of and
aged friendly symbol
http://www.fightdementia.org.au/common/files/NAT/20130604_NAT_PUB_Paper32CognitiveImpairmentSymbol.pdf
Not unlike adopting a strategy of Neighbourhood Watch for children walking home from school who
felt in danger to look for houses that had the neighbourhood watch symbol to seek refuge and
assistance. For many elderly people an increasing number of people are affected with cognitive
impairment (dementia) and they easily become lost in shopping centres. By applying the principles
of Neighbourhood watch in large shopping centre such as Shellharbour Square and Nowra Fair, the
practice potentially changes the behaviour of the shopper from one seeking to purchase the best
buy to also looking for those who appear lost and asking; are you ok? This approach is based upon
the strategy of Wesley Mission in Kings Cross of; “I see you”, which in this example is a person
needing assistance rather than just another shopper. It humanises us to others and as a community
we move from an awareness of ourselves to an awareness of each other.
Promoting Dementia Awareness through Dance benefits the community by:-
1. Reorientation of social capital that supports social inclusion.
2. Social Inclusion of a marginalised community – people family and friends affected by
Dementia.
3. Changing the nature as to how we shop. Encouraging people to watch out for the most
vulnerable through social engagement in public spaces such as shopping centres.
4. Using the medium of dance supporting the role of Alzheimer’s Australia, corporate
philanthropy, local Congregations, Councils Local Government (Complements Age Friendly
Regional Initiative) and Schools.
Big Move Stockland Shellharbour “Shout-out” 9 March 2015
i
In sociology, social capital is the expected collective or economic benefits derived from the preferential
treatment and cooperation between individuals and groups…they tend to share the core idea "that social
networks have value"
i
.

3. Draft Abstract Arts & Health Australia Conference 17-19 November 2015 (Closes 31
st
July 2015)
2015wderuyter@unitingcarenswact.org.au ph 0417419238
ii
A town square is an open public space
[1]
commonly found in the heart of a traditional town used for
community gatherings. Other names for town square are civic center, city square, urban square, market
square, public square, piazza, plaza, and town green…