Establishing playfulness as an essential component of dementia care, this positive and uplifting book will be key in changing attitudes and providing ideas for new and valuable ways of interacting and being with individuals with the condition.John Killick explores the nature of playfulness and the many ways in which it can enrich the lives of people with dementia, including as a means of maintaining relationships and communication, supporting communication and generally lifting the spirits. Specific approaches already in existence are described, including improvised drama, clowning and laughter yoga, and a chapter on the playful approach to art and craft activities is also included. Personal accounts of playfulness by individuals with dementia, relatives and an actor with a decade's experience of using playful approaches with people with dementia offer rich first-hand insights into its transformative potential. Throughout the book, the importance of spontaneity and of being with the person with dementia in the present moment is emphasised, andthe reader is encouraged to develop a playful mindset. A selection of colour photographs amply demonstrate playful approaches in action.Offering a fresh and perhaps unexpected perspective, this book is essential reading for dementia care practitioners and managers, activity coordinators, therapists, people with dementia and their relatives, and anyone else concerned with the wellbeing of those with the condition.

John Killick has worked with people with dementia for over 16 years, in care homes, day centres, hospital wards and in their own homes. He is known internationally for his pioneering poetry work, but has also explored the possibilities of using a variety of other art forms to enhance communication. He is passionately committed to providing opportunities for people with dementia everywhere to take part in creative activities, and has lectured, written, broadcast and run training sessions on the subject in a number of different countries. He is currently Writer in Residence for Alzheimer Scotland and runs an improvised drama group for the Scottish Dementia Working Group. He is the co-author of Creativity and Communication in Persons with Dementia, also published by JKP.

Foreword by Professor Murna Downs. Introduction. Part I. 1. What do we Mean by Playfulness? 2. To Play or Not to Play? 3. What People are Already Doing. 4. Bringing Play to the Person. 5. Funshops: Portrait of a Project. 6. The Dementia Monologues. 7. Home-made Humour. 8. Playfulness in the Moment. 9. Even a Few Scribbles. Sarah Zoutewelle Morris. 10. Taking the Senses for a Walk. Part II. 11. A Licence to be Free. Agnes Houston. 12. The Moment 'Me' Returned. Edward McLachlan. 13. Play the Game. Robin Lang. 14. Your Hat's Squint - Nicola Hodge. 15. Beyond Right and Wrong. Ian Cameron. References. Further Reading. Index.