Background: Therapeutic, multi-sensory games have been proposed in person-centered care approaches for people with dementia. Reminiscence during game play may increase engagement and meaningfulness, however, little information is available to explain how to utilize these games with older adults in real-world settings. The purpose of this descriptive study was to conduct a secondary data analysis of the game-playing characteristics of a multi-sensory technology with long-term care dementia residents.

Methods: The games were played using a device, the Tovertafel, which projects vibrant images on flat surfaces that react to hand/arm movements. Residents living in two facilities in northwest Ohio were invited to play games in small group sessions. Trained facilitators assisted residents in selecting games that met their preferences/needs for engagement and encouraged them to share relevant reminiscences while playing.

Results: Ninety-two game sessions video recorded for the primary study were reviewed to identify game characteristics. The 30 participants, primarily White females with moderate-to-severe dementia (average BIMS score=4.5) attended on average 2.8 thirty-minute sessions per week, each consisting of about 7-8 games. Consistent with previous findings, participants frequently engaged in simple physical and sensory activities. Cognitive games were not preferred. Instances of reminiscence were observed during 31.5% of the sessions. Participants often discussed past personal and professional competencies, cultural/family traditions and relationships with pets and people.

Conclusions: This study begins to elucidate how residents with dementia in long-term care facilities engage with multi-sensory games. Findings may benefit care professionals contemplating the integration of innovative therapeutic games into person-centered care.