At United Church Homes (UCH), our mission to transform aging takes on new meaning through innovative care that touches lives every day. We’re excited to share a groundbreaking breakthrough in dementia care, born from our partnership with Miami University’s Scripps Gerontology Center: the Individualized Positive Psychosocial Interaction (IPPI) program. This evidence-based initiative, recently accepted for publication in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA), shows how just 10 minutes of personalized interaction can bring joy and relief to residents living with dementia (PLWD).

How 10-Minute Care Transforms Senior Dementia Lives

The journey began in 2022 when UCH, collaborating with Scripps Gerontology Center and The Pennsylvania State University, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing program secured two grants from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to roll out the IPPI program across seven of its Ohio skilled nursing communities. The program is simple yet powerful: trained staff spend 10-minute, one-on-one sessions with residents, engaging them in activities tailored to their preferences—like solving a large-piece jigsaw puzzle for someone who loves games. Over six months, 130 residents participated, and the results speak for themselves.

Proven Benefits: IPPI Program’s Impact on Dementia Care

In 59% of the 4,841 sessions, residents’ moods lifted from negative or neutral to positive, with 42% maintaining a stable, often positive mood. Even better, symptoms of distress—such as depression or wandering—decreased over three and six months, tracked using the Minimum Dataset (MDS) 3.0, with most residents showing improvement.

Kenneth Young

“This breakthrough with the IPPI program is a testament to United Church Homes’ heart for person-centered care,” said President and CEO Kenneth Young. “Seeing how these 10-minute moments brighten our residents’ lives fills me with pride. Our partnership with Miami University is proving that small, meaningful connections can transform dementia care, and I’m grateful for our teams’ dedication to making it happen.”

Collaboration Fuels Dementia Care Breakthrough Research

Amy Kotterman

Amy Kotterman, RDN, LD, Director of Customer Experience at UCH and co-author of the JAMDA publication, shared her excitement: “Watching a resident light up during an IPPI session—like when they laugh over a puzzle piece fitting just right—reminds me why this work matters. Those 10 minutes can turn a tough day into a moment of delight, and the study shows it’s making a real difference.”

The JAMDA article, titled “An Embedded Pragmatic Clinical Trial of the Individualized Positive Psychosocial Interaction (IPPI) Program,” places UCH alongside esteemed academic partners like Miami University, Penn State University, and Indiana University School of Medicine. The authors acknowledged UCH’s vital role, stating, “The study team would like to thank our partnering senior living organization who worked diligently with us on this project to implement the embedded pragmatic clinical trial of IPPI.” A second manuscript, “Anybody Who Has a Heart Is Going to Think That It’s a Good Idea: Pre-implementation of the Individualized Positive Psychosocial Interaction,” was accepted for The Gerontologist, detailing the program’s successful rollout across UCH communities.

Real Stories: IPPI Program Brightens Senior Communities

This impact extends beyond research. Last fall, Amy Kotterman and Molly Noble from Miami University presented the IPPI implementation at the Center for Innovation (CFI) conference. They’re set to return in August 2025 to share the study’s findings in a session titled “From Burnout to Brightness: A Culture Shift in Long-Term Care,” showcasing how IPPI fosters a positive care culture. Our commitment to excellence and learning shines through this collaboration.

At communities like The Parkvue Community in Sandusky and SEM Haven Health Care Center in Milford, the IPPI program is bringing hope and happiness to residents with dementia. This breakthrough proves that 10 minutes of personalized care can change a life—transforming aging one joyful moment at a time.

For more information on the IPPI program, visit Preference Based Living for videos of how United Church Homes implemented the program.

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