Sometimes, the simplest things make the biggest difference—and that’s especially true for people living with dementia. Stepping outside for a walk, sitting in the sunshine, or just enjoying a bit of fresh air can do wonders for mood, relaxation, and overall well-being. But for people living with dementia, the benefits of time outdoors go far deeper than a pleasant afternoon. They are rooted in science—and they can shape the entire arc of a person’s day.
Meet the IMC Dementia Care Assistants
At Integrated Memory Care, we believe that knowing what to do matters—but knowing how to do it with someone living with dementia is where the real expertise lies. That’s the role of IMC’s Community Program Dementia Care Assistants (DCAs): trained professionals who work one-on-one with our participants to provide individualized, cognitively stimulating engagement throughout the day.
Consider a moment like this one, which unfolds regularly in our program: A DCA meets a participant on a warm morning and notices right away that he seems restless—pacing slightly, a little tense. Rather than defaulting to television or a quiet sit at the kitchen table, she gently suggests they head outside. She knows from experience, and from training, that this particular gentleman spent decades as an avid gardener. Within minutes, they’re in the backyard together—examining what’s blooming, turning soil in a raised bed, talking about what might go in next season. His shoulders relax. His face softens. He’s not just passing time; he’s engaged, purposeful, present.
That kind of moment doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because the DCA knows how to read a person’s cues, draw on their life history, and translate that knowledge into an activity that meets them where they are—cognitively, emotionally, and physically. She knows to keep instructions simple and one-step-at-a-time. She knows how to redirect gently if frustration arises. She knows that the goal isn’t a perfectly weeded garden—it’s the therapeutic value of the doing.
This is the difference between spending time with someone and caring for someone.
The Rest of the Day Benefits Too
When a person living with dementia has a meaningful, engaging, physically active morning—one that includes natural light, sensory stimulation, and a sense of accomplishment—it genuinely changes the rest of their day. Families and caregivers often tell us that their loved one seems calmer, more talkative, and more settled after time spent in purposeful outdoor activity with their DCA. Mealtimes go more smoothly. Afternoons are less anxious. Bedtime comes more easily.
This is the compounding value of dementia-informed care: it isn’t just about the hour spent outside. It’s about how that hour ripples forward.
Creating the Right Environment
Thoughtful design of outdoor spaces can amplify these benefits further. Comfortable seating in both sun and shade, safe and clearly defined walking paths, and easy-to-reach garden beds invite people to spend more time outside and reduce barriers to engagement. Seasonal plants offer gentle, natural reminders of the time of year—a simple but meaningful form of orientation. Keeping spaces tidy, safe, and easy to navigate ensures that time outdoors stays relaxing rather than overwhelming.
The Value of Dementia Expertise
At the end of the day, being outside isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s a powerful, evidence-based way to support emotional balance, encourage gentle activity, and engage the senses in ways that are uniquely beneficial for the brain affected by dementia. But harnessing that power takes knowledge. It takes someone who understands dementia—how it affects perception, behavior, energy, and mood at different times of day. Someone who can recognize when a person is ready to engage, when they need a gentle prompt, and when the best thing is simply to sit quietly together and let the morning do its work.
That is what the Emory IMC team provides every day. Our Dementia Care Assistants, nurse practitioners, social workers, and care coordinators bring specialized dementia expertise into every interaction—not just clinical appointments, but the everyday fabric of a person’s life. Because sometimes, all it takes is a little fresh air—and someone who truly knows how to make the most of it.
Learn More About IMC
Emory’s Integrated Memory Care offers specialized, compassionate dementia care through multiple pathways designed to meet you where you are. Read more about IMC’s outpatient clinic at Executive Park, the house calls practice in select senior living communities, and GUIDE program at www.nursing.emory.edu/imc, or call 404-712-6929 to learn more.
