Submission ID: 1115

Presentation: Poster

Abstract type: Non-scientific

Topic: Dementia diagnosis, treatment, care and support: Dementia therapies (Music, dance, art etc.)

Title: Innovative Programs  Based Upon the Blue Zones, and US POINTER Study Approach to Living 

Author:

Ms Nancy A Schier Anzelmo, MSG

nsa@alzcareassociates.com

Alzheimer’s Care Associates, a consulting company, Rocklin, CA USA

Biography: As a  professional Gerontologist, I am passionate about using cutting-edge research to improve the lives of all those affected by a diagnosis of dementia. With almost 30 years of experience as an advocate, practitioner, and consultant in adult day and senior living communities.

Summary

The implementation of research into a daily practice is now focused on a lifestyle approach to live each day to the highest expectation of the best health outcomes. When a participant starts at a day club program or moves into a residential care community, the implementation is fortified into daily life enrichment programs to meet the needs of the individual. If a community is in a Blue Zone, (Loma Linda, CA), the expectation is continuous and often results in a lasting change. 

The US POINTER study results of July 2025 have demonstrated the renewed need for programs that focus on lifestyle principles, no matter the age or diagnosis.  This session or poster will share the innovative programs that were created in an adult day and various residential communities based upon the Blue Zones philosophy of the Power 9, Lifestyle focus on nutrition, activity, and most importantly, purpose with person-centered values in creative practice. Innovative programs were implemented by applying the values and interests of day club participants, which will be shared from survey results and specific qualitative program outcomes. Examples include the following: resident performing choir and artist programs; incorporation of nutritional super foods and wholesome foods; implementation of continuous service projects selected by residents; these are just a few examples of putting research into daily practice to benefit the day club participants living with dementia. Having purpose in daily activities such as gardening,  multiple exercises and movement, the incorporation of family and belonging to a tribe of individuals are also essentials for living a longer, happier life made possible while living with a dementia diagnosis. The Incorporation of the US POINTER study principles into the daily program for day club residents achieved positive results and higher participant satisfaction

This submission study describes how research-backed lifestyle interventions—framed around the Blue Zones Power 9 and informed by recent dementia-prevention evidence in the US POINTER study—were translated into daily practice in an adult day club. It summarizes program design, implementation strategies, measured outcomes (quantitative survey and qualitative program data), and practical examples showing improved resident engagement, purpose, and family satisfaction.

Background

Rationale: Lifestyle principles that emphasize nutrition, physical activity, social connection, purpose, and meaningful routines produce measurable health and well-being gains across ages and diagnoses.

Setting: An adult day club located in a residential care community

Goal: Embed research into everyday activities that are focused on person-centered principles so participants living with experience sustained improvements in engagement, function, and community satisfaction.

Program Design and Implementation

  • Person-centered framework: Programs were co-designed with day club participants using interest inventories and resident-led planning meetings. Pre and post test measures over 6 months using the PCQ-R (Person Centered Care Questionnaire- revised)

  • Blue Zones/ US POINTER study: Core Power 9 and US POINTER study behaviors were operationalized into daily schedules, menus, activity curricula, and social structures.

  • Key program components:

Nutrition: Introduction of nutrient-dense “super” and wholesome foods in menus and snacks; cooking classes and brain-healthy nutrients..

Activity & Movement: Multiple daily movement options (chair exercises, group walks, dance sessions, gardening-based tasks) tailored by mobility level.

Purpose & Contribution: Resident-selected continuous service projects, intergenerational activities, resident choir, and arts programming.

Social Belonging: Creation of small interest-led groups that engage regularly to foster belonging.

 Inclusion: Family invitations to events and performances,  and shared celebration days.

Methods of Evaluation

  • Quantitative: Pre/post program survey questionnaire measuring participant climate of safety, climate of everydayness, climate of community with engagement, activity frequency, perceived purpose, and satisfaction.

  • Qualitative:  participant narratives of interests, staff observations, and program outcome logs (attendance, project completion rates, examples of independent engagement).

Key Outcomes

  • Engagement: Increased daily program participation; higher attendance in engagement. 

  • Purpose & Well-being: Residents reported a higher sense of purpose tied to ongoing service projects, choir membership, and creative expressions.

  • Nutrition uptake: Greater acceptance of wholesome menu items and incorporation of healthy choices in resident cooking activities. 

  • Resident satisfaction: Measured increases in satisfaction with daily life enrichment and perceived quality of engagement.

  • Sustained change: The Adult Day Program demonstrated an increased engagement through positive results by focusing on a lifestyle approach and activities based on resident interests.  

Practical Examples (high-impact activities)

  • Resident-led choir performing monthly in the community and at local events.

  • Artist studio sessions producing saleable crafts that fund community projects.

  • Garden-to-table programs where residents plant, harvest, and help prepare shared meals.

  • Ongoing, resident-chosen service projects (e.g., assembly of care kits, community outreach) that reinforce purpose and routine.

Conclusions and Implications

  • Translating lifestyle research into daily practice is feasible in adult day and residential settings and produces measurable benefits in engagement, purpose, nutrition, and family satisfaction.

  • Using a person-centered, resident-driven model that adapts Power 9 principles yields sustainable adoption and meaningful outcomes for people living with dementia as well as cognitively intact participants.

  • These implementation strategies provide a practical blueprint for communities seeking to operationalize prevention and wellness research into daily life enrichment programs.

This summary demonstrates that structured, resident-centered lifestyle programming grounded in research can create lasting improvements in daily life for older adults and those living with dementia, while also increasing family satisfaction and community vitality.