Is it OK to dance with a client?

[neurontin]

Hi, I have a question. Is it ok to dance with a psychiatric client?

It seems no one wants to do that.

If dance with a psychiatric client, is it professional?

For safety, I know we need to keep at least one arm distance away from the clients. However, if we are in a party, and the client seems stable, is it ok to dance?

[marshmallowstar, BSN, RN]

We've had dance parties at times that staff would participate in for a few songs. Make sure that no one is fixated on you, another staff member, or a peer. It should be a community building event/atmosphere. Only upbeat conservative dance music (the oldies always worked well for us) don't want any slow dance music or contemporary music that most people would grind to if they were in another setting.

Remember boundaries, boundaries, boundaries. and remind the patients too, no touching, no inappropriate movements. I suggest keeping it short 15-30 minutes, that way you can end on a good note. Give them a one or two song warning that it's almost over or set a time limit and remind them when they have 5 and 3 minutes left.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I think it depends on the diagnosis and the stage of recovery the person is in. I also think there are lots of other things you can do rather than dance in a way you have to touch patients. Especially with schizophrenic patients, you can't be sure how they'd feel about that sort of dancing.

How about line dancing or square dancing?

[misssarahRN]

A stalking victim never sees it coming. Not that being a psych patient makes you stalker material, but stalkers most always are (or need to be) psych patients. We've had several stalking cases at my hospital perpetrated by both patients and staff.

My father-in-law has worked for several psych facilities in administration in my state and has similar stories.

[Davey Do]

The Funky Chicken is probably the most appropriate dance to do with a psychiatric Client, as there is no body contact. It's also a dance that just about anybody can do. All who do the Funky chicken appear to be psychotic anyway.

As far as body contact goes, I would definately discourage anything that is related to Head-Banging music.

[Hygiene Queen]

We've played music and cracked out the maracas and funny hats.

If you give a manic pt maracas, they will shake the living h** outta 'em... but it also keeps their hands off each other

[WillyNilly]

@Hygiene rotfl!!

Chicken dance, hokey pokey, simon says, dance hall like the old Soul train aisle where they can show off their moves, the twist.

Hats, Kazoos, maracas, beans in a butter tub for a shaker/noise maker.