Diane is presenting at the 36th IADMS Annual Conference in Melbourne

Dear Friends & Community,

I am happy to share some exciting news! This September, I will be speaking at the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) 36th Annual Conference in Melbourne, Australia.

IADMS brings together international researchers, health professionals, dance educators, and artists from across the globe to explore the intersections of dance, science, health, and medicine. I am deeply honored to contribute to this world-class gathering and connect with colleagues who are passionate about the power of movement and creative practice.

 

Event Details

• Presentation Title: Dance theatre for older adults: a practice-informed model supporting wellbeing and dementia care

• Session Date & Time: Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 11:50 AM AEST

• Location: Hanson Dyer Hall, Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Melbourne, Australia

 What I'll Be Sharing

I'll be sharing my passion for using dance theatre as a powerful tool to enrich the lives of older adults, particularly those living with dementia. In this session, I’ll be exploring key issues below with a focus on two of Creative Caring's programs: Spring for Seniors at The Sydney Opera House and the Movement is Medicine program at St. Vincent's Hospital.

1. Dance Theatre for Older Adults: Examining how tailored dance theatre frameworks support emotional resilience, agency, and physical expression in older populations.

   
   

2. Dementia Care Integration: Sharing a practice-informed model designed to support meaningful connection, sensory engagement, and dignity for individuals living with dementia.

   
   

3. Creative Wellbeing & Care: How arts-based practices provide actionable tools for communication, joy, and holistic care across community, aged care, and hospital settings.

   
   

4. Practice-Informed Frameworks: Bridging creative movement with practical health applications to support facilitators, care staff, and arts-health practitioners.

   
   

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support of my work. I look forward to sharing insights and information from Melbourne with you all very soon!

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