87‑year‑old leads Tucson senior dance troupe

An 87-year-old woman leads a troupe of dancers, all over 50, through a spirited tap and jazz routine in a Tucson studio, embodying a growing recognition among older adults and medical professionals that dance is a uniquely powerful tool for healthy aging. Carol Ross, who founded the Rodeo City Wreckettes 23 years ago, practices with the group at least twice weekly, often joined by her 89-year-old husband, John.

Medical experts affirm that dance offers comprehensive benefits for seniors. It functions as aerobic exercise while specifically targeting balance, strength, and flexibility through movements like walking backward or standing on one foot. Julio Loya, a nurse and geriatric program coordinator at Tucson Medical Center, notes that dance engages the brain, improves mood, and provides social connection. Dr. Tom Johnson, a gerontologist at the UC Health Seniors Clinic in Colorado, recommends that older adults supplement standard exercise guidelines with two to three dance sessions per week, citing its multifaceted advantages. He recalled one patient in his late 80s whose primary goal was to continue dancing until he died, which he achieved.

For the Wreckettes, the activity is...