Last Updated on May 16, 2024
Alzheimer’s Society and Sport England are partnering with Social-Ability to roll out a new programme for people living with dementia. Called the Happiness Programme, it develops activities and games for care home residents by utilising interactive technology. The programme will initially be rolled out in ten care homes across the UK and participants will be invited to test out the new activities that have been designed with Alzheimer’s Society and funded by Sport England. Care homes across London, Sheffield, Derby, Manchester, Newcastle, among others, will be taking part in the project.
Commenting on the partnership, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Social-Ability, John Ramsey, said, ‘We’re thrilled to partner with Alzheimer’s Society and Sport England to expand the Happiness Programme’s reach to those who truly need it. […] We’re so excited to see the results of the project in 2024, nobody living with dementia should be without laughter or activity.’
The Happiness Programme will start with a three-month phase focusing on games currently provided by the programme. The activities utilise interactive light technology, enabling users to take part in physically and mentally engaging games like popping bubbles, playing the piano, colouring pictures and sweeping leaves, among other activities like karaoke, bingo and quizzes. This will be followed by another three-month testing period, where newly developed activities will be tried out by the residents of participating care homes. The new games being trialled will focus on encouraging movement and physical activity.
The Happiness Programme aims to offer activities that can be enjoyed as a group or individually. With a focus on featuring props to elevate the experience and increase range of motion. Research from Sport England has shown that individuals living with a long-term health condition, such as dementia, are twice as likely to be inactive.
Approximately 900,000 people in the UK are affected by dementia with projections indicating a rise to 1.6 million by 2040. Alzheimer’s Society research, with these numbers in mind, emphasises the urgent need to provide activities for individuals with dementia. Simon Lord, Head of Innovation at the Alzheimer’s Society, said the following about the Happiness Programme.
‘We’re excited to combine our trusted expertise in dementia and physical activity with the proven efficacy of the Happiness Programme. […] Keeping active is hugely important for people with dementia and has a range of benefits such as improved quality of life. […] we look forward to seeing the results of the new meaningful activities and the potential improved outcomes for people living with dementia.’
The Happiness Programme is developed by Social-Ability, which is working to enhance dementia care across its existing partners in the UK, Ireland and Canada through health care technology. Sport England is a public body that invests each year in projects that help people get active and play sport.
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