In Conversation with Sandy Halperin on the Wellbeing for People with Dementia & Other Health Issues

Enhancing the wellbeing of people living with dementia and other health challenges at home is more than a compassionate choice—it’s a transformative care approach with wide-ranging benefits. Research consistently shows that tailored residence-based interventions, such as virtual group activities and person-centered social support, not only ease behavioral and emotional symptoms but also preserve cognitive and functional abilities.

By staying in familiar surroundings, individuals experience less anxiety and confusion, reinforcing security and identity as the health challenges progress.

Even brief daily social interactions—just ten minutes—can significantly uplift mood and reduce isolation symptoms. Techniques such as reminiscence therapy and music-based activities tap into long-term memory and emotion, improving quality of life and reducing depression. 

Crucially, such interventions also bolster caregiver well-being by reducing stress, enhancing their capacity to provide compassionate, consistent support. 

In today’s world of remote technology and virtual connection, people with dementia and other health challenges can access engaging, emotionally supportive programs from home—offering meaningful interaction, routine, and comfort in the place that matters most.

To shed some light on the same, we interviewed a home care industry expert to bring his perspective on enhancing the wellbeing for people living with dementia and other health challenges.

Let us now delve into what he has to say about enhancing the wellbeing for people living with dementia and other health challenges:

Question 1: Which virtual group activities stimulate engagement and emotional well‑being for people living with dementia?

To best answer this question, it’s important to understand the context of my health journey. In addition to having progressive memory challenges with my dementia that affect my immediate, short and long-term recall – I also live with a number of other health issues. These include, but are not limited to, my being on a feeding tube for over six years due to nerve damage from neck surgery, undergoing daily chemotherapy for a blood condition, and managing ongoing bronchial and lung complications.

Given these circumstances, I spend the bulk of my time at home. That’s why Uniper Care has become such a vital part of my daily life. Available 24/7, Uniper offers a wide range of engaging and live virtual programs that have truly enhanced my day-to-day activities. 

Through Uniper’s technology, I have tremendous user-friendly accessibility as I can use my television, laptop, or phone to connect.

What sets Uniper apart isn’t just the vast variety of activities that it offers, but the emotional connections that it fosters. I’ve developed heartfelt relationships with fellow participants, and that provides me tremendous joy and comfort. Despite the emotional toll of living with dementia, Uniper has been the most uplifting for my well-being as it provides stimulation, companionship, care and support through its talented and compassionate session leaders and its diverse programming.

Question 2: What advice do you have for supporting loved ones who may not “see” the person with dementia anymore – but who still crave connection and understanding?

Although I live with dementia, I’m fortunate to be surrounded by the love and support of family and friends, and yes, including the “virtual” friends that I have formed a relationship with on Uniper. That said, I’ve come to realize how dementia can often feel “invisible” to others. 

Unlike many physical conditions with clearly visible signs, dementia may not present itself in obvious ways. As a result, some people may make well-meaning but unintentionally invalidating remarks like, “It doesn’t look like you have dementia.” These comments may seem harmless, but they can deeply affect the emotional well-being of those living with this condition.

This experience isn’t unique to me as it’s shared by countless others who are living with dementia. When the symptoms of dementia are not always outwardly visible, it can create emotional distance and misunderstandings. People may overlook what’s happening internally simply because someone with dementia appears to speak or function “normally.” Beneath the surface of an individual living with dementia lies a rich inner life that is still filled with feelings, memories, and a deep longing for connection. So, to anyone who finds themselves being with a loved one or acquaintance living with dementia, I urge them to approach that individual with empathy. Behind every diagnosis of dementia is a person still yearning to be understood and treated with dignity. While many of their thoughts and memories may fade, the capacity for love, empathy, and meaningful relationships often remain beautifully intact.

With everything that I have shared to answer this question, I want to conclude by making it clear that my family and close friends recognize me for who I truly am – beyond my dementia.

Question 3: From your experience, how important is routine and familiarity (like a weekly class or call) in maintaining mental sharpness and a sense of belonging?

Routine and familiarity have become essential to my well-being. Because of my cognitive limitations, multitasking is extraordinarily difficult. I need to focus on just one thing at a time, and if my day becomes too crowded with activities or interactions, I quickly grow exhausted – both mentally and emotionally. That’s why having structure and control over what I do, and with whom I engage, is so important to me.

My ability to communicate is best when I have one-on-one conversations. In larger group settings, I can struggle to follow along and remember what is being said. During a conversation, within seconds, I can forget what I wanted to say – and even struggle to recall what the other person just said. This lack of recall can be incredibly disorienting and frustrating. But when I can focus on a single person, with minimal distractions, I feel most connected and present.

I must add that Uniper Care has been instrumental in creating this space of comfort and clarity for me. Its daily programs, presentations, and classes are more than just activities – they are lifelines. And thanks to Uniper’s technology, everything is accessible to me 24/7 on my TV, laptop, or phone. Uniper offers a predictable rhythm that brings calm to my days. But it’s not just the structure – it’s the feeling of being part of the compassionate Uniper community. Uniper feels like another family to me, providing the emotional support that helps me get through many days.

When days can feel overwhelming, especially when facing memory challenges, familiar routines and genuine connections help bring me peace.

Question 4: Are there best practices for caregivers to set up and encourage participation without making it feel forced or overwhelming?

My primary caregivers consist of immediate family, close friends, and yes – Uniper. It is my request that each person supports me in a way that’s both compassionate and grounded in patience. My caregivers have learned not to overwhelm me with too many tasks or obligations at any one time or any one day, allowing me to approach each day’s activities at my own pace. That kind of understanding goes a long way, especially when it comes to participation. They know that encouraging me doesn’t mean pushing me into things that I’m not interested in doing. Instead, they give me space to choose what feels meaningful, which makes any involvement feel genuine rather than forced.

When I start to feel overwhelmed, my caregivers are quick to notice. Whether it’s something I say, a shift in my energy, or just their own intuitive understanding, they know when I need extra care or time to reset. In those moments, their response is gentle – not demanding or corrective – which helps me regain my footing. I do best when I take each day one step at a time. That measured rhythm lets me focus, stay balanced, and feel confident. The people who care for me recognize this, and that makes all the difference in how supported and empowered I feel.

Question 5: What signs should family members and care providers look for to tell if a person with dementia is benefiting emotionally and socially from virtual engagement?

My wife, who is my primary caregiver, has witnessed firsthand the emotional comfort and supportive atmosphere that Uniper brings into my life. Though I haven’t physically met the other Uniper participants, the relationships I’ve virtually formed are warm, sincere, and fulfilling. 

These connections have helped ease the isolation that can come with dementia, offering a sense of companionship that feels real and meaningful.

I’ve also come to know many of the Uniper session leaders, each of whom has been remarkably kind and encouraging. Their presence helps foster a community that feels less like a program and more like a family. Over time, even without face-to-face interaction, I’ve come to regard many of these individuals as friends.

My wife sees the joy these Uniper connections have given to me. She notices how I light up after engaging in a session, how I talk about the people I’ve met and the experiences we’ve shared together. These signs – genuine happiness, emotional uplift, and a sense of connection – show my wife (and others) that my virtual engagement through Uniper isn’t just beneficial, it’s deeply fulfilling.

In Conclusion

Alexander Halperin’s insights illuminate how meaningful virtual connection, routine, and emotional support can transform life at home for someone living with dementia. Sandy’s story is a powerful testament to dignity and resilience—how tailored programming delivered through accessible technology becomes more than activity: it becomes community.

Whether it’s the joy of familiar faces, the lift of a daily chat, or the comfort of a predictable rhythm, these interventions nurture well-being in profound, enduring ways. May his experiences inspire caregivers, loved ones and care providers to prioritize empathy, connection and presence over assumption—and to see the person within the diagnosis.