Performer Debra Batton (foreground) says FreeSteps was an enriching experience. Photo credit: Melbourne Fringe Festival.
Connection and self-expression are essential to ageing well
A contemporary dance performance comprised entirely of dancers over the age of 60 is not something one sees very often, but perhaps it should be. Earlier this year, Care Connect partnered with Melbourne Fringe Festival to present FreeSteps – Swinging Years, a captivating dance performance by Taiwanese choreographer Wei-Chia Su celebrating the beauty, wisdom and resilience of the ageing body.
The performance featured a cast of 59 local dancers over the age of 60 – including some in their 90s – and sought to explore how movement, music and memory intertwine to pay homage to the richness of life through decades of lived experience. The performance received rave reviews. Having been lucky enough to see it myself, I can understand why.
FreeSteps – Swinging Years challenged assumptions about what it means to age, and reminded audiences that our capacity for creativity and self-expression doesn’t fade as we get older; rather, it deepens. As well as enthralling audiences with storytelling and talent, it illustrated the power of movement and connection, and the vital role these play in ageing well.
For Care Connect, partnering with Melbourne Fringe for this production was both a privilege and a natural fit. Movement, self-expression and connection are powerful in their own right, but together, they can transform how we experience ageing.
For over 30 years, our mission has been to empower older Australians to age well and continue living the life they love – whatever that might look like for them. FreeSteps – Swinging Years reflects our belief that ageing well is about far more than just maintaining good health; it’s about being able to keep doing the things that give life meaning.
Because the reality is, many older Australians still face barriers when it comes to ageing well. Beyond declining physical health, the challenges of loneliness and isolation remain pressing issues for older populations. As we downsize or relocate, and families and loved ones grow up and move away, maintaining the close communities we once had becomes difficult. This lack of connection and community can impact mental health and wellbeing, and in turn our sense of belonging and purpose.
Initiatives like FreeSteps – Swinging Years show how opportunities for connection, creativity and self-expression can bridge that gap, fostering joy and fulfilment. One of the performers Debra Patton, in her mid 60s, told us how special it felt to dance alongside peers her own age, and described feeling “enriched every moment”. That’s what connection looks like in action, and it’s what we strive to nurture every day through our work.
In fact, many of our clients regularly attend dance lessons and exercise classes, not only keeping fit and active, but maintaining vital social connections that provide friendship and a sense of belonging. For those less inclined to take to the floor, other social activities and hobbies – whether it’s community gardening, music or art classes, volunteering or sports – provide essential opportunities to build friendships, find community and express oneself.
As our sector continues to evolve, we have an opportunity redefine what ‘ageing well’ looks like. Collaborations between aged care, the arts and community organisations can help ensure older Australians remain visible, valued and connected – because the human need for connection and self-expression has no age limit.
Source: Aged Care Today
Published: Summer 2025
Here is a link to the original article: Ageing Australia