So, when it came to the 2014 Bupa Dance Challenge, the aged care home opened its doors to dance groups who entertained spectators with ballroom dancing and rock-and-roll moves. 

A number of Bupa employees donned traditional Indian dress and showed off their fancy footwork. 

Michelle Riley from Dance Dynamics and her students treated the crowd to a tap dance. 

She said it was a good opportunity for the children to gain confidence in their steps, and the residents loved to hear the old-fashioned tunes. 

“It’s something familiar to them,” Mrs Riley said. 

Resident Barbara Kelly danced her heart out to the hokey pokey and said she adored watching the performers. “I love it. I used to do tap dancing myself when I was a youngster,” Mrs Kelly said. 

The dance challenge is held annually to encourage older Australians to keep fit and healthy through dance. 

Bupa Tamworth said keeping physically active could reduce the risk of dementia later in life, and by improving stability through dance, older Australians might be less likely to suffer a fall.