Dumaguete City is bringing together movement, learning, and dementia awareness through “INDAK Dance for Brain Health,” a community event designed to show how dance can be part of conversations about brain health and healthy aging.
The Institute for Dementia Care Asia (IDCA), together with Filinvest Malls Dumaguete, Futura Shores Dumaguete, and Negros Polymedic Hospital, will hold the dementia awareness dance program on September 26, 2026, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Filinvest Mall Central Plaza. The event is free and open to everyone, giving residents and visitors an opportunity to learn more about dementia prevention while participating in an afternoon of dance led by Teacher Jaypee Decena.
Turning Dance Into a Brain Health Activity
Dance is more than physical movement. It can combine exercise, music, coordination, memory, concentration, and social interaction, making it an activity that engages both the body and mind. The World Health Organization recognizes dance as one form of physical activity and notes that regular physical activity can contribute to better brain health, including reducing cognitive decline and improving memory. Recent research has also examined the potential relationship between dance and cognitive health among older adults. An umbrella review published in 2025 found that dance interventions showed potential benefits for cognition among older people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, although the researchers emphasized that the overall quality of evidence remains limited and that more rigorous research is needed.
Why Dementia Awareness Matters
Dementia can affect memory, thinking, behavior, and a person's ability to carry out everyday activities. Raising awareness can help communities better understand cognitive health and encourage conversations about healthy aging. The INDAK event approaches this topic through an activity that is accessible and familiar to many people: dancing. Rather than making dementia awareness solely a discussion inside a healthcare setting, the program creates a community environment where participants can move, learn, and connect with others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also identifies regular physical activity as beneficial for brain health. Its guidance notes that physical activity can support thinking, learning, memory, and emotional well-being, while regular activity can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Dancing is included among examples of moderate-to-vigorous physical activities.
A Community Activity for Everyone
One of the notable aspects of INDAK Dance for Brain Health is that the event is free and open to all. The program is scheduled at the Filinvest Mall Central Plaza, creating a public setting where families, older adults, students, healthcare workers, and other community members can participate. The event is also supported by the Dumaguete City Health Office, Foundation University College of Nursing Community Extension Program, and Unilab-Medichem, bringing together organizations from healthcare, education, and the local community. This kind of collaboration can help make health information more approachable while encouraging people to take part in activities that promote an active lifestyle.
