Caregivers throughout Micronesia will have an opportunity this month to learn how to use dance and movement as a form of communication and therapy for persons with dementia.

Therapist E. Connor Kelly will conduct a series of interactive presentations titled “Dance, Movement, and Communication in Dementia Care” in an online support group facilitated by the University of Guam’s Isa Psychological Services Center. The sessions will take place on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings during the third and fourth weeks of July.

Kelly is a board-certified dance/movement therapist with more than 40 years of professional experience. Within her practice, she has supervised several aspects of aged care in dementia units, hospice care, and programs serving older adults with brain injuries or illness, including strokes. She is also a professional teaching fellow at the University of Auckland and has taught internationally in New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, and China as well as online in Vietnam. She recently co-taught a graduate course in Creative Arts Therapies at the University of Guam.

Kelly’s presentations are part of Isa’s weekly online support groups for family caregivers of persons with dementia being conducted in collaboration with the UOG School of Health’s Guam/Micronesia Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program. The sessions are free of charge to partners, family members, and other caregivers of persons with dementia who live in or have ties to Guam and the Micronesian region.

July sessions

July’s support groups will be held at the following times:

Week 1 – Sharing Caregiver Stories and Finding Support

With Iain Twaddle, Ph.D.; Rhoda Orallo, MSW; and Nikolas Gutierrez

6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 7, or
10 a.m. – noon, Saturday, July 10

Week 2 – Sharing Caregiver Stories and Finding Support
With Iain Twaddle, Ph.D.; Rhoda Orallo, MSW; and Nikolas Gutierrez

6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 14, or
10 a.m. – noon, Saturday, July 17

Week 3 – Dance, Movement, and Communication: Introduction
With E. Connor Kelly, MA, LPC, BC-DMT

6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 21, or
10 a.m. – noon, Saturday, July 24

Week 4 – Dance, Movement, and Communication: Application
With E. Connor Kelly, MA, LPC, BC-DMT

6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 28, or
10 a.m. – noon, Saturday, July 31

What to expect
All support groups are client-centered and confidential. They provide a safe place to share the stresses and challenges, successes, and rewards of caring for a loved one with dementia with others who may be going through similar experiences. They also provide a forum for caregivers to participate in presentations led by health care professionals and other community members with expertise in dementia care.

The support groups are facilitated by clinical psychologist Dr. Iain Twaddle of Isa Psychological Services Center; Health Services of the Pacific social worker Rhoda Orallo, who holds a master’s in social work; and Isa counselor Nikolas Gutierrez, who holds a bachelor’s in psychology.

How to participate
To attend a family caregiver online support group, use the following Zoom links:

Wednesday Support Group (6 p.m. – 8 p.m.): https://zoom.us/j/92072878067
Saturday Support Group (10 a.m. – noon): https://zoom.us/j/91243370958

For assistance or more information, call or email Dr. Iain Twaddle or Nikolas Gutierrez at (671) 735-2883 or isa@triton.uog.edu or Rhoda Orallo at (671) 735-3277 or nfcspmgr@teleguam.net.