No regrets for care home using pole dancers to entertain elderly

Pole dancers have performed for elderly residents at a care home in Dorset but while residents and staff had no regrets about the acrobatic skills performed in cropped tops, some councillors were not amused.

Seven pole dancing students from the Pole Dancing Factory in Poole were invited to demonstrate their athletic talents to a room full of 30 elderly residents at Fairmile Grange home in Christchurch, Dorset on 18 February.

“It was nice to share our skills and show residents something different”, said Katie Henry owner of the Pole Dance Factory, in Poole.

She explains: “I do circus craft with another staff member at the care home and was asked to do pole dancing".

To the sounds of ‘Singing in the Rain’ and hits from the 1950s and 1960s, the students wowed the audience with their athletic routines on a metal pole.

Ms Henry said: "The residents enjoyed it and were clapping. One of the women wanted to join in."

Although the entertainment was warmly received by the residents and staff who witnessed the performance, some local councillors have been less enthusiastic.

Councillor Denise Jones said: "I’m a bit staggered about it. While I’m always delighted to see the horizons of older people widened, I’m not sure that includes pole dancing."

In response to criticism from the councillor, Ms Henry said: “They are entitled to their opinion. We chose a gymnastic approach. There were no wiggles, no suggestive dancing.

“You can only really do pole dancing in crop tops and shorts because otherwise you won’t stick to the pole."

With slippery clothes such as leotards reducing the ability to cling to a metal pole and increasing the risk of a fall, she said: "I wore a leotard but that’s because I‘m more experienced.

”I think it’s important that pole dancing is introduced into settings like care homes to try to normalise it.“

Izzy Nicholls, operations and quality director, Encore Care Homes said: “We always give our residents choice at Encore Care Homes. At Fairmile Grange, our care home in Christchurch, relatives and residents requested more modern-style activities.

“Residents were given several choices of activity and specifically chose for a local pole dancing company to perform. Those residents that wished to be involved, welcomed Pole Dancing Factory, which saw talented dancers showcase a display of fitness and strength to music.”

Challenging stereotypes: Pole dancing is 'working towards becoming a Olympic sport’

Ms Nicholls added: “Pole dancing is a provisionally recognised sport by the Global Association of International Sports Federation and is working towards becoming a recognised Olympic sport. This performance sport combines dance and acrobatics; requiring great physical strength and endurance.

“Dementia residents and non-dementia residents all thoroughly enjoyed this artistic display of musicality and gymnastic ability – and the showcase received overwhelming positive feedback from relatives.

“We are proud to challenge stereotypes and will continually offer our residents the choice to experience appropriate, new and progressive activities.”

The Care Quality Commission which regulates care homes, has stated that in relation to the pole dancing group: 'Their website and FB page seems to market them as a providing a fitness activity. Our inspection team have spoken to the registered manager of Fairmile Grange who have informed us that the entertainers were wearing gymnastic clothing and people had a choice whether or not to attend the show.’

Ms Henry added: “We did the performance for free. We would happily go back. I’d be happy for my students to visit more care homes for free ...within a reasonable distance in terms of travel.”

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