Dyadic Recreation Interventions for Older Adults with Dementia and Their Family Caregivers: Two Case Reports

Therapeutic dyads offer an innovative recreational therapy approach to support community-dwelling individuals with dementia and their caregivers. This report presents two case studies from Taiwan, demonstrating a dyadic recreational therapy intervention tailored to individual family units. Each unit included one older adult with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and their primary family caregiver. Over six months, both members of each dyad participated in 16 two-hour home-based sessions designed around their shared leisure interests. Data were collected from each participant—care recipient and caregiver—before and after the intervention using accelerometers, standardized assessments, and qualitative interviews. Observations suggested potential improvements in physical activity, functional fitness, and sleep quality for individuals with dementia, while caregivers reported a reduced sense of caregiver burden. Qualitative findings highlighted enhanced social interaction, positive shifts in leisure attitudes, and increased joint participation in meaningful activities. These case studies underscore the potential of dyadic recreational therapy as a culturally sensitive, family-centered approach to dementia care in Taiwan.