Improvisation, Creativity and Dementia Care

How ComfortCare Homes Is Exploring New Approaches to Care

With the national and global rise in dementia diagnoses, the field of senior care must continue to think creatively and boldly about what is possible. Supporting individuals living with dementia means continually exploring new ways to improve the daily lives of both residents and caregivers.

Dementia often makes sequencing memories and recalling information challenging. Traditional care approaches can sometimes struggle to meet people where they are in those moments. At ComfortCare Homes, we draw from many sources that inform our practice of care. One of the deepest wells of inspiration for the ComfortCare team is the creative arts. 

ComfortCare Homes CEO, Micala Gingrich-Gaylord, began asking questions about how creativity might intersect with dementia care, particularly around reducing difficult moments that often lead to increased reliance on medication to address behavioral issues. With Micala’s background in painting and sculpture, it’s not hard to see how a unique approach can change outcomes and perception.

In exploring approaches that foster connection and flexibility, she looked toward improvisational theater.

Improvisation has a long history as a practice built on listening, collaboration, and responding in the moment. The core principles are things like  “yes, and,” playfulness, and acceptance. All these things mirror the kind of responsive care that is deeply supportive for individuals living with dementia. In Dementia care, phrases like "Meet them where they are,” “Stay in their reality” and “Mirror what you would like them to do” all sound similar to improv theater tactics.

In fact, today, April 1st, International Improvisation Day, feels like the perfect time to share the work we are doing at CCH.

For years, our team has used simple improvisational techniques informally in day-to-day care. We’ve consistently seen how humor, playfulness, and flexibility can help ease moments of frustration or resistance.

“When people laugh, things become easier,” says Gingrich-Gaylord. “Residents are often more able to lean into care that might otherwise feel difficult. Caregivers also experience relief when humor and play can enter the moment.”

Until recently, these observations were largely anecdotal. But those experiences raised a bigger question: What if we could measure the impact formally?

That question led to a collaborative effort to explore improvisation more formally in dementia care.

CCH partnered with researchers from the University of Kansas School of Medicine–Wichita to design a study examining how improvisational techniques might affect mood and engagement, and potentially reduce reliance on anti-anxiety medications during difficult moments.

At the same time, a group of talented collaborators stepped forward to help build this work.

Improvisation educators

Sharla Hale

Sharla Hale has been improv-obsessed for more than 25 years, using the art form to perform, direct, produce, and teach sketch and improv in Hong Kong, Chicago, Colorado Springs, and Wichita. Sharla has been reinvigorated by working with Comfort Care Homes and finding a new way to use this art form on a smaller, more meaningful stage. While some dementia programs focus on safety and routine and not enough on creativity and play, Comfort Care Homes’ interest in improv for their residents gives the gift of spontaneity, humor, and human connection—things that improve quality of life, not just care management. 

Julia Fabris McBride

Actor, improviser, and leadership author Julia Fabris McBride brings her deep background in performance, curriculum development, and leadership training.

Together, this group of creatives and care professionals is working to build something unique, a collaboration between artists, researchers, and care teams who share a commitment to improving quality of life for those living with dementia.

Dr. Sam Ofei-Dodoo of KU Medical Center in Wichita is helping guide the research framework. Meanwhile, the team has already begun brainstorming sessions, observing resident engagement, and training members of our engagement staff in new improvisational techniques.

Additional training sessions are planned throughout the year, including sessions for nursing staff, CNAs, and CMAs.

What began as something we noticed in daily interactions–laughter easing tension, play opening connection–may soon become something we can study and measure.

We hope that this work will demonstrate how creative engagement can support residents during difficult moments and potentially reduce the need for certain medications. It is also to provide those who do this work day-to-day with proven and effective tools to help in their work and, hopefully, aid their joy in it.

Even more importantly, this work reflects the heart of our mission.

At ComfortCare Homes, we stay rooted in our belief in Care for All, bringing creativity, humor and humanity to challenging moments in care.

Because sometimes the most meaningful innovation doesn’t come from technology or equipment, it comes from simply meeting someone with curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to play.

Happy Improving!