Supporting someone with Alzheimer's: calm, shared moments with SCARLETT

Understanding what Alzheimer's changes, and what it does not

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological condition. It affects memory first for many people, but it also touches language, orientation, attention, judgement and the ability to carry out familiar tasks. Over time, the person may struggle to find the right word, lose track of the date, misplace objects or feel unsure in places that used to be familiar. These changes are real, and they are tiring both for the person and for those around them.

But a diagnosis does not erase a person. Many abilities and sensitivities remain present for a long time: the feeling of being welcomed, the pleasure of a familiar tune, the comfort of a calm voice, the satisfaction of recognising a picture or completing a simple gesture. Emotional memory often outlasts factual memory. A person may forget what happened during the afternoon yet still keep the warm feeling of having spent time with someone who was kind and patient.

This is the foundation of any good approach to support. Instead of focusing exclusively on what has been lost, we can look for what is still possible and still enjoyable. A well-chosen activity is not a way of testing what the person can no longer do. It is a way of offering a moment in which they can succeed, feel included and be treated as an adult with a story, tastes and dignity.

Why pressure-free activities make such a difference

Many games and exercises designed for the general public rely on scores, rankings, chronometers and levels. For a healthy adult, these features can be motivating. For someone with Alzheimer's, they can have the opposite effect. A countdown creates stress. A score creates a feeling of judgement. A wrong answer, signalled by a buzzer or a red cross, can bring back the painful awareness of difficulties that the person already senses.

When a person is anxious, their ability to concentrate decreases even further. They may become withdrawn, irritated, or simply refuse to continue. Caregivers often describe these reactions as a refusal to cooperate, when in fact the person is protecting themselves from a situation that feels threatening.

Removing the pressure changes the whole experience. With no timer, the person can take as long as they need. With no score, there is nothing to lose and nobody to disappoint. With a very easy level, the person can succeed often, and success, even a small one, nourishes self-esteem. The activity becomes a pretext for talking, laughing, remembering and simply being together.

What is SCARLETT?

SCARLETT is the DYNSEO app dedicated to cognitive stimulation for seniors. It is built specifically with people living with Alzheimer's and related conditions in mind. Its activities are offered at a very easy level, without scoring and without timers, which makes it particularly suitable for this audience. The aim is never to measure performance. The aim is to offer something enjoyable that invites the person to look, name, choose, remember and share.

It is also useful to understand what SCARLETT is not. It is not a treatment, it is not a diagnostic tool and it does not claim to slow down or reverse the disease. It is a stimulation and social-connection tool. Its value lies in the experience it creates: a calm, structured, positive activity that can be done together. Beyond the activities themselves, SCARLETT acts as a unifying programme. It gives caregivers, relatives and professionals a shared reference point, something concrete to do and talk about when conversation alone feels difficult.

Another practical point: SCARLETT works without wifi. That means it can be taken anywhere, a bedroom in a nursing home, a living room, a garden bench, a waiting room, a hospital day unit, without worrying about connection quality. For families who move between several places, or for professionals who visit people in different settings, this portability removes one more obstacle.

You can explore the app on the SCARLETT brain games for seniors page, and discover the printable and structured resources of the SCARLETT notebooks collection for moments when you prefer paper to a screen.

Preparing a good session: place, time and posture

The success of an activity often depends less on the activity itself than on the conditions around it. A few simple adjustments can make the difference between a moment of pleasure and a moment of tension.

Choose a calm place

Background noise is a major source of confusion for people with Alzheimer's. Switch off the television or radio, close the door if people are passing in the corridor, and choose a spot with good natural light. Sit at a comfortable table or in two armchairs placed at an angle, rather than facing each other too directly, which can feel confrontational. Make sure the screen is at a comfortable distance and that glasses and hearing aids are in place.

Pick the right time of day

Most people have a better moment in their day, often late morning or early afternoon, when they are rested and calm. Others become more anxious at the end of the afternoon. Observe, over several days, when the person seems most receptive, and aim for that time. Avoid scheduling an activity straight after a meal, a shower, a medical visit or any moment that was tiring.

Keep it short

Ten to twenty minutes is often plenty. It is better to stop while the person is still enjoying themselves than to continue until fatigue appears. A short moment repeated regularly is generally more valuable than a long session once in a while. Ending on a positive note, a compliment, a smile, a hand on the shoulder if the person likes it, will make them more willing to start again next time.

Position yourself as a companion

Sit beside the person rather than across from them. Let them hold the tablet or touch the screen if they can and wish to. Your role is not to examine, but to accompany: to read an instruction aloud, to point out a picture, to wait, to celebrate. If you correct too often, the activity quickly becomes a school exercise, which is exactly what you want to avoid.

Using SCARLETT at home with a family caregiver

For family caregivers, one of the hardest things is the feeling that time together has become entirely about care: medication, meals, washing, safety. There is little room left for simply enjoying each other's company. A short, pleasant activity can help recreate that space.

Start by choosing one regular moment, perhaps after the morning coffee or after the afternoon rest. Present the activity in a natural way: “Shall we have a look at these pictures together?” rather than “It is time for your exercises.” The wording matters. It signals invitation instead of obligation.

Let the person guide the pace. If they spend a long time on a single image because it reminds them of something, welcome that. These detours are often the most valuable part of the session. A photograph of a garden can open a conversation about the one they used to have. A familiar object can bring back a memory of a job, a recipe or a holiday. You are not trying to reach the end of the activity. You are trying to reach the person.

Because SCARLETT does not keep score, there is no risk of the person feeling they have “failed.” If an answer is not the expected one, you can gently show the right one and move on without insisting. If the person is not in the mood, you can simply close the app and try again another day. There is no streak to maintain and no progress bar to disappoint anyone.

Using SCARLETT with health professionals

SCARLETT can be used by a range of professionals who work with people living with Alzheimer's: speech and language therapists, geriatricians, neuropsychologists and occupational therapists, among others. Each brings a different perspective, and the same tool can serve different goals.

A speech and language therapist may use the activities as a support for naming, word retrieval and conversation. An occupational therapist may use them to observe attention, gesture and engagement in a structured but relaxed situation. A neuropsychologist may use the pleasant setting to build trust before or after more formal assessments. A geriatrician or a nurse may simply appreciate having a calm activity to offer during a day hospital stay or a consultation that includes a waiting period.

What these uses have in common is that the app serves the relationship. It gives the professional a gentle way into contact, especially with someone who may be anxious about the medical environment. It also gives the family something concrete to repeat at home between appointments, creating continuity between the clinic and daily life. For professionals who want to deepen their knowledge, DYNSEO offers specialised training, including Alzheimer's: understanding the disease and finding solutions for everyday life.

Training: Alzheimer's and everyday life

An online course to understand how the disease evolves and to find practical, respectful solutions for daily situations.

Discover the course

Using SCARLETT with animal-assisted teams

Animal-assisted interventions, often carried out by teams made up of a handler and a trained companion animal, are increasingly present in care homes and day centres. The presence of an animal can lower tension, encourage touch, spark smiles and bring back memories of pets from the past.

SCARLETT can fit naturally into these sessions. A picture-based activity can be a gentle way to talk about animals, to name them, to recall the ones the person once had, or to compare them to the one that is visiting. The handler can introduce the activity while the animal rests nearby, so the person feels supported by two presences instead of one. Because there is no scoring, the session never turns into an exam, and the focus stays on the emotional link.

As always, such sessions work best when they are prepared with the care team: checking allergies and fears, respecting hygiene rules and keeping the time short enough to avoid overstimulation.

Using SCARLETT in nursing homes and group settings

In a nursing home or a residential care unit, the challenge is different. Staff are often busy, residents have varied abilities and moods, and the day is structured around collective rhythms. A tool that is easy to carry and requires no connection is a real advantage here.

One-to-one moments

Even five minutes of undivided attention can be precious for a resident. A staff member or volunteer can sit with a resident in their room or in a quiet corner and share a short activity. These moments build trust and can be especially valuable for people who are withdrawn or who rarely take part in group events.

Small groups

The tablet can also be used with two or three residents. One person may pick a picture, another may name it, a third may add a comment. The facilitator’s role is to give everyone a chance, to avoid comparison and to welcome every contribution, including silence. Keep groups small, and keep them homogeneous in terms of abilities where possible.

Involving the whole team

When several members of staff, nurses, care assistants, activity coordinators, psychologists, use the same tool in the same spirit, residents benefit from consistency. Share short observations: what the person enjoyed, what tired them, what they said. Those details help everyone adjust and make the person feel known.

If your team wants to build a richer activity programme, the course Accompanying seniors differently: playing to stimulate and share offers ideas for turning play into a tool for connection.

Training: cognitive stimulation for seniors

Practical ideas, tools and ways to build stimulation into the day, for families and professionals alike.

See the course

Communicating well during an activity

How we speak matters as much as what we propose. As Alzheimer's progresses, understanding long or complex sentences becomes harder, and the emotional tone of the exchange becomes more important than the exact words.

• Use short sentences. One idea at a time. Wait for the person to process it before adding anything.
• Offer simple choices. “Would you like this picture or that one?” works better than an open question such as “What do you want to do?”
• Use your face and voice. A smile, a calm tone and eye contact reassure far more than any explanation.
• Do not argue with facts. If the person says something inaccurate, there is rarely any benefit in correcting them. Respond to the emotion or the meaning behind the words.
• Avoid quizzing. Questions like “Do you remember what we did yesterday?” can create anxiety. Prefer comments: “I remember we looked at some lovely pictures.”
• Allow silence. Silence is not failure. It is often thinking time.
• Use touch with permission. A hand on the arm can be comforting, but only if the person welcomes it.

When things do not go as planned

Even with the best preparation, some sessions will not go well. This is normal and does not mean you have done anything wrong. Alzheimer's brings fluctuation: a good day can be followed by a difficult one without any obvious reason.

If the person seems tired

Stop, even if you have only just begun. Fatigue can show up as yawning, slower responses, looking away or fidgeting. Offer a glass of water or a short walk, and propose to try again later.

If the person becomes agitated or upset

Do not insist. Lower your voice, reduce stimuli, and acknowledge the feeling: “I can see this is not a good moment. We can stop.” Agitation is often a way of communicating discomfort, pain, fear or boredom. Look for a possible cause: noise, hunger, a full bladder, an uncomfortable chair, a worry. If episodes of agitation become frequent, mention them to the care team.

If the person refuses

A refusal deserves respect. It may be a matter of mood, of timing, or of how the proposal was made. Try again later with different wording, or propose something else, like looking at photographs or listening to music. Refusal is also a legitimate expression of autonomy, and honouring it builds trust. For professionals who want more guidance, the training Illness-related behaviour changes: a practical guide for family members explores how to understand and respond to these situations.

If the person is frustrated with themselves

Some people are painfully aware of their difficulties and may say things like “I am useless” or “I used to know this.” Do not minimise their feelings, but gently refocus: “It is lovely to be doing this together. You have always had a good eye for detail.” Choose an easier activity if needed, and make sure the session ends on something they can do well.

Building a routine that lasts

Predictability is soothing for people with Alzheimer's. A regular time, a familiar place and a recognisable beginning and end help the person feel secure. You might light a lamp, pour a cup of tea, or begin with a short greeting ritual. These cues tell the brain: this is a safe, pleasant moment.

Vary the content within the routine. If the same activity is repeated indefinitely, it may become tedious, although some people also enjoy repetition and find comfort in it. Observe the person: do they light up when a certain type of picture appears? Do they prefer words, images, music? Let their preferences shape the next sessions.

You may also keep a short notebook of what works. Note the date, the length, the mood at the start and the end, and one detail that stood out. After a few weeks, you will have a precious record that can be shared with the family, the nurse or the doctor. It will also help you notice gradual changes, which are useful to report to professionals.

To get a general sense of someone’s cognitive profile, some people like to try a light-hearted online exercise such as the online memory test. Remember that such a test is a curiosity, not a diagnosis. Any concern about memory should be discussed with a doctor.

Taking care of the caregiver

Supporting someone with Alzheimer's is a long journey, and caregivers frequently put their own needs last. Exhaustion, guilt, grief and isolation are common. Yet your wellbeing is not a luxury. A rested and supported caregiver offers better, calmer care, and the relationship benefits.

• Accept help. Whether from relatives, neighbours, home care services or day centres, sharing the load is not a betrayal.
• Protect your sleep. Chronic fatigue amplifies stress and reduces patience. If nights are difficult, talk to a health professional.
• Keep something that is yours. A walk, a hobby, a phone call with a friend. Small pleasures matter.
• Talk about it. Support groups, association helplines and counselling can help you feel less alone.
• Forgive yourself. You will have bad days. You will lose patience sometimes. This does not make you a bad caregiver.

Shared activities can also lighten your own load. Watching the person smile, even for a few minutes, can bring a sense of connection that is easy to lose in the daily routine. In that sense, a good activity benefits both people.

Going further: training and resources

Whether you are a relative, a professional or a volunteer, understanding the disease better often brings relief. It becomes easier to interpret behaviour, to adapt your approach and to feel less helpless. DYNSEO offers a range of training courses for families and professionals, including courses on understanding Alzheimer's, on behaviour changes, on cognitive stimulation for seniors and on playing together as a way of connecting.

You can browse the full catalogue on the DYNSEO training courses page. For daily use, remember that the simplest advice remains the most useful: be patient, be kind, keep things short and keep them pleasant.

SCARLETT, the app for seniors

Easy, score-free and timer-free activities, designed to be shared and usable without wifi.

Discover SCARLETT

Frequently asked questions