By Rebecca Wiessmann
Steve Moran recently sat down with Sharon Johnson, brand experience manager for Connect, to explore how technology can transform dementia care by focusing on meaningful engagement rather than mere entertainment. Watch the interview here.
The Problem with Traditional Engagement
Steve opened up about his own struggles visiting his stepfather, Gary, who lives in a memory care community. “He’s got two or three questions he asks me over and over again.” After answering these repetitive questions, he finds himself running out of things to talk about. It’s a challenge many family caregivers and professional staff face daily.
Sharon agrees, noting that the typical approach often feels like a quiz show. “What did you have for lunch? Did you see the game last night?” These questions can feel like tests to someone with short-term memory deficits, creating anxiety rather than connection.
The OPA Framework: A Game-Changing Approach
Sharon shares what she calls the OPA framework — asking for someone’s Opinion, Preference, or Advice. This skills-based approach focuses on what people with dementia can still do rather than what they’ve lost.
“These are questions that people with dementia can answer and enjoy answering,” Sharon explains. “It’s a form of self-actualization.” The approach allows people living with dementia to be experts and maintain their sense of identity.
Steve tested this approach with his stepfather using the Connect tablet. He selected an activity about mountain climbing and asked Gary if he’d ever done it. Gary launched into a story — whether factually accurate or not didn’t matter. “It was very engaging, and it was almost shocking how good it was,” Steve admitted.
Beyond Entertainment to Cognitive Wellness
The conversation touched on a critical distinction in dementia care: the difference between entertainment and meaningful engagement. Sharon points out that during the COVID pandemic, isolation’s impact on cognitive wellness became dramatically evident, reinforcing the essential human need for meaningful social connection.
Steve drew a perfect analogy from his Las Vegas location: people come to Vegas to be entertained, but they leave exhausted. The same principle applies to dementia care — entertainment alone creates a hollow existence. His own stepfather retired three times because leisure activities alone weren’t fulfilling. The fundamental human need to be valued, to contribute, doesn’t disappear with dementia.
Building Trust Through Connection
An important theme emerged around staff engagement in memory care communities. Steve observes that, even in excellent facilities, caregivers need guidance on having meaningful mini-conversations with residents. Sharon confirmed that Connect helps with exactly this challenge by teaching engagement techniques through use.
“If you don’t have a trusting relationship with a person with dementia, you’re not going to get anywhere,” Sharon explains. Caregivers who find something to talk about beyond care tasks build the trust that makes their work more effective and residents’ lives better.
Practical Applications
The Connect platform offers remarkable flexibility. It works on tablets, laptops, or large-screen TVs. It can be used remotely — allowing family caregivers to engage with loved ones from anywhere. The app includes curated activities adapted for early-, mid-, and late-stage dementia, meeting people where they are in their journey.
One of the most touching moments came when Steve described an art therapy session where his stepfather created an amazing drawing. “I had no idea he had even the ability,” Steve marveled. Johnson expands on this, saying that dementia sometimes removes filters, opening people to experiences they would have rejected before diagnosis. Steve adds, “Every time I walk into his room and see that picture, it just makes me smile.”
Looking Forward
Hopeful Aging continues to innovate. Johnson revealed they’re in clinical trials for AI capability that will learn user preferences and personalize content. This led to a discussion about the possibility of AI companions for people with dementia. Steve admits his thinking has evolved: “AI has infinite patience. It’s never going to run out of questions to ask.”
What sets Connect apart is its foundation in decades of research and its mission-driven approach. Sharon emphasizes that Hopeful Aging’s primary goal is getting these tools into the hands of people who can benefit from them.
Steve closed the conversation with renewed commitment to using the tablet more consistently with his stepfather, inspired by the framework and possibilities Sharon shared. Connect’s platform illuminates a path forward for dementia care that honors dignity, builds connection, and creates purpose — moving beyond the entertainment model to something that truly enhances quality of life.
Interesting approach. However, it doesn’t seem to be available for one person, it is marketed for communities….
Sue, overlooking the aging consumer is a common vendor approach. It’s thought that the B2B sale is easier, but ultimately all is B2B since businesses ultimately draw their revenues from people served, i.e., consumers. There are many people who are cognitively challenged but still living on their own in the larger community and even in CCRC independent living. The OPA model can help them, too. Of course, you can apply it without paying for the support, and I’ve done that, but I would much prefer to have the material that Steve had access to. Perhaps will move more toward end users in the future. I hope so.