Play as Balance: How Rhythm and Guided Movement Build Steadiness

Balance comes from knowing where your feet are. It shows up in something as small as tapping a foot to a familiar song or taking a step with a steady hand nearby. For people living with dementia, that steadiness can matter as much emotionally as physically – and it’s the inspiration behind September’s Power of Play theme at Artis.

The Brain’s Role in Balance

Balance depends on a constant exchange of signals between the cerebellum – the region of the brain that coordinates movement, posture, and timing – and the vestibular system in the inner ear, which senses motion and spatial position. Together, these systems tell the body where it is and help it adjust, often before a person notices shifting weight or catching a step.

Dementia can affect the neural pathways carrying these signals, particularly connections involved in processing movement, spatial awareness, and reaction time. As those pathways change, the body may take longer to register and respond to shifts in position, even with strength and muscle function intact. This is one reason balance changes often appear alongside memory and thinking changes.

When movement feels uncertain, hesitation can follow, and over time may lead someone to sit out activities they once enjoyed. Balance can often be supported, and even strengthened, through rhythm, repetition, and guided movement, which give the brain a steady, predictable pattern to follow.

Practicing Balance Through Everyday Movement

At Artis, September’s Play as Balance theme centers on a simple idea: balance is something residents can practice through rhythm, repetition, and guided movement. Movement can be standing, seated, or supported, and each version counts equally. The focus stays on showing up and moving in whatever way feels comfortable that day.

This kind of movement works at any ability level. Someone who prefers to stay seated can follow a rhythm with their hands and feet; someone who welcomes more can step, sway, or march.

Marching to the Beat

One example is a simple marching movement set to music. A resident might lift their knees to a steady beat, tap their feet in place, or march in a small circle with support nearby. The music sets the pace, so no one has to think about timing. The rhythm does that work, offering the brain’s coordination centers a steady cue to follow.

Some march standing, supported by a caregiver’s arm or a walker. Others follow along seated, moving arms and feet in time with the beat. A few simply watch and tap along, joining in through sound rather than motion. All of it counts.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, regular physical activity for people living with dementia can support balance, help reduce fall risk, and contribute to better mood and sleep.

How Small, Steady Movements Add Up

When movement follows a steady, familiar rhythm, it starts to feel like something the body already knows how to do. A resident who marches to music one week may stand taller during a walk to the dining room the next. Small, repeated movements build comfort, and comfort invites participation, easing anxiety.

What Families Can Look For

Movement may look different day to day, and that’s expected. Confidence often shows up in small ways: a willingness to try, a few extra minutes of staying engaged, a slight lean into the rhythm instead of away. These small moments are often the clearest sign that someone feels safe enough to take part.

Balance, at its best, supports both the body and the emotions. Even as movement changes, there remains opportunity to feel supported, steady, and able to move in ways that feel natural.

At Artis Senior Living, we support balance and confidence through:

Life enrichment programming that includes daily adaptive, instructor-led classes

A living environment designed to promote safety and independence

Daily care grounded in building trust and respecting individual ability

Sources:

Alzheimer’s Association, “Physical Health & Fitness” https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/physical-health-fitness

Alzheimer’s Association, “Brain Tour: Cerebellum” https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/brain_tour