Toowoomba Salem aged care residents shake off Covid blues with ‘rock n roll’ dance

It’s been a tough 18 months for aged care centres, but one group of seniors have shaken off the Covid-19 blues with a special and colourful “rock and roll” dance.

Northridge Salem resident Lester Brandt gets dance tips from Greg and Brenda Gillespie, Friday, September 10, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

After more than a year of tough restrictions due to Covid-19, Lester Brandt and the other residents of Salem Aged Care were ready to shake a tail feather on Friday morning.

The Lutheran Services centre celebrated the first of what should be many dances with a rock and roll themed event.

Participants got decked out in their most colourful outfits to dance to classic tunes.

Salem creative program co-ordinator Ruby Gillespie said the chance to celebrate with friends and family lifted the spirits of residents.

“With restrictions easing, we can get more people in the facility and get the residents smiling again,” she said.

“The dancers were able to come back in, there were a few family members there.

“They all enjoyed themselves and were clapping along — we couldn’t have wished it to go better.”

Ms Gillespie said she was hoping to run more dances in the future.

“This is the first one I’ve held, but I’m hoping to make it held every two months,” she said.

“It’s just what the residents needed to put a smile on their face.”