iCARE Matters — The Power of Play and Dementia Care
Research continues to demonstrate that play is essential in all stages of life and playing games is especially beneficial for older adults undergoing physical and cognitive decline. By triggering the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, play can provide stress relief and relaxation, supports an overall sense of well-being, and can also temporarily relieve pain. Play can also stimulate the imagination and boost creativity, helping the person to more readily adapt and solve problems. Sharing laughter and fun can foster empathy, compassion, trust, and intimacy with others, which can help individuals break the ice with new acquaintances and make new friends—improving caregiver/resident relationships and strengthen connections to others.
Play has a transformative role in dementia care, offering much more than just entertainment. It is a therapeutic approach that helps residents reconnect with themselves and their environment, providing benefits that span emotional, physical, and cognitive well-being. Here’s a closer look at why incorporating play is so impactful.
- Cognitive Stimulation – Engaging in playful activities stimulates the brain, promoting neuroplasticity and slowing cognitive decline. Simple games, puzzles, or sensory-based activities encourage focus, decision-making, and creativity. Familiar games or past hobbies can even trigger memory recall, enhancing a sense of accomplishment and identity.
- Emotional Connection – Play creates opportunities for positive social interactions, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. It offers a safe space for self-expression, allowing residents to convey emotions that may be difficult to articulate. Shared moments of laughter and joy during play strengthen bonds between caregivers and those with dementia, fostering trust and connection.
- Stress and Anxiety Reduction – Dementia often brings anxiety, frustration, or agitation. Playful activities, particularly those that are repetitive and sensory-based, have a calming effect. This helps to create a sense of predictability and security in an often-confusing world.
- Physical Engagement – Play that involves movement, can help maintain motor skills, improve circulation, and reduce the risk of falls. It also encourages the release of endorphins, boosting overall mood and energy levels.
- Personalized Engagement – One of the keys to effective play in dementia care is personalization. Tailoring activities to a resident’s interests, past experiences, or cultural background ensures greater engagement and enjoyment.
Tips for Integrating Play into Dementia Care
- Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome – Emphasize the enjoyment and engagement of the activity, rather than achieving a specific result.
- Be Flexible – Allow the resident to guide the play, adapting the activity based on their mood and energy levels.
- Use Multisensory Experiences – Incorporate touch, sound, smell, and sight to create richer, more engaging activities.
- Simplify When Needed – Break tasks into smaller steps and reduce complexity to avoid frustration.
- Celebrate Small Wins – A smile, a moment of focus, or a burst of laughter are meaningful successes.
By incorporating play into caregiving routines, you create opportunities for joy, connection, and purpose, improving quality of life for both residents with dementia and their caregivers. It’s a simple yet profound way to bring light into their lives.
NCCDP Resources — How To Help Someone With Dementia Remember
The NCCDP Blog is a great resource for dementia care practitioners. The articles are written by the NCCDP staff, which consists of a full team of experts in dementia care & education.
Understanding how to help someone with dementia remember involves compassionate strategies that focus on creating familiarity, triggering memories through sensory cues, and fostering emotional connections. These approaches not only help improve recall but also enhance the overall quality of life for individuals with dementia.
https://www.nccdp.org/how-to-help-someone-with-dementia-remember
Trainer Profile — Juliet Kerlin
Juliet Kerlin, MA, CDP, CADDCT, has developed and managed programs that address the needs of elders since 2001. Currently, she partners with organizations that have developed innovative solutions that deliver improvements to the quality of care and quality of life of Skilled Nursing and Life Plan Community residents to apply for CMP Reinvestment Program grants and other funding sources.
Juliet has also partnered with research institutions to validate the benefits of innovative solutions and programs for older adults undergoing cognitive and physical decline. An accomplished regional, national and international speaker, she encourages senior living professionals to embrace the belief that wellbeing encompasses all the dimensions of personhood—mind, body and spirit. Juliet holds a master’s degree in Gerontology and has served on the advisory board of the Dementia Action Alliance, Board of Directors of A Little Help, and organizing committee of the LeadingAge Hackfest.
Rejoining their Journey
Visits… whether daily, weekly, or just a quick drop in, we took them for granted until COVID happened. Then suddenly with a blink of the eye we were banned from spending time with those we love so dearly. Gone were the days of just stopping by to say hi, share a hug, take an unplanned car ride to the countryside, or the other things we took for granted. We suddenly were separated in a way that felt like death.
Isolation in and of itself can create cognitive decline. In some cases, just the process of aging creates changed memory and recall patterns. Part of rejoining their journey, is arming yourself with both knowledge and fun.
CEU Connection
MyCME
Conversations Around Brain Health: Reframing Expectations for
Healthcare Providers, Patients, and Caregivers
On Demand
The failure to detect early signs of cognitive decline and diagnose appropriately prevents patients from gaining access to treatment and support services and deprives patients of the opportunity to plan for future healthcare needs. This learning hub offers a mix of easy-to-introduce practical strategies and communication frameworks.
Expert Perspective/Roundtable | Time to Complete: 2.50 hours
Expires: December 19, 2025 | Maximum Credits: 2.5
America’s Dementia Coach
Melonie@americasdementiacoach.com
720.315.1039