At 103, Dorothy Plummer Stays Active Living With Dementia
Author: Brookdale Senior Living
Published: 6 Nov 2017 - Updated: 28 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Awareness, Appreciation
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This report profiles Dorothy Plummer, a 103-year-old woman living with dementia at Brookdale College Square in Overland Park, Kansas, who still bowls, dances and plays the harmonica. She bowled in leagues with an 11-pound ball until her local alley closed when she was 101, and her care team built those lifelong interests into her daily routine when she moved in. Her story illustrates person-centered dementia care, an approach that treats a diagnosis as something a person has, not who they are. Juliet Holt Klinger, senior director of dementia care for Brookdale, explains that when the label of Alzheimer's replaces the person, the activities they love are often taken away without need, which can lead to disengagement, depression, isolation, appetite and weight loss, and even falls. Released during National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month alongside a free downloadable care journal, the piece is useful for families, caregivers and seniors facing a dementia diagnosis because it shows in practical terms how keeping someone connected to their skills and passions can protect quality of life.*
At a Glance
- 1 - Plummer raised three sons on a farm in her earlier years.
- 2 - Her love of bowling led her community to plan a resident bowling league.
- 3 - She played harmonica for fellow residents and joins in the frequent dancing at her community. Her son says the activities have made her life more enjoyable.
- 4 - In 2016, Brookdale raised more than $2.4 million for the Walk to End Alzheimer's with 706 teams. The company has contributed nearly $10 million to the Walk since 2008.
Topic Definition
- Person-Centered Dementia Care
Person-centered dementia care is an approach to supporting people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias that puts the individual, rather than the diagnosis, at the center of every care decision. Caregivers learn each person's life history, routines, values, skills and interests, then use that knowledge to plan daily activities, communication and support. The approach favors consistent caregivers who know the person well, encourages choice and independence wherever possible, and treats changes in behavior as a form of communication instead of a problem to control. Research links it to better mood, fewer distress behaviors, less reliance on antipsychotic medications and improved quality of life for both the person and their care partners.
Overview
Playing the harmonica, dancing, bowling: For Brookdale Senior Living resident Dorothy Plummer, these longtime passions bring purpose as well as pleasure to daily life. What may be surprising is that Plummer is not only 103 - she is living with dementia. Plummer embodies Brookdale's mission of person-centered care, which focuses on sustaining individual interests and daily routines to give meaning to each person's life. As part of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, Brookdale is offering a free downloadable journal to help others with dementia look for ways to live life to the fullest.
"When people hear someone has Alzheimer's, the label of the disease can unfortunately replace who the person is," said Juliet Holt Klinger, senior director of dementia care for Brookdale. "Their life becomes shaped by the diagnosis. The things they love to do may be taken away when they don't need to be. This can cause disengagement, potentially leading to depression, isolation, loss of appetite, weight loss, and even falls."
At 103 Yrs Old Dorothy Plummer Refuses to Let Dementia Slow Her Down
Brookdale's person-centered care is based on understanding a dementia diagnosis does not change an individual's identity.
"It's knowing them, honoring all of their life history and their preferences, and recognizing them as a skilled, talented human being," Holt Klinger said. "It's providing consistent assignment of care partners who truly understand them. In short, we provide an entire culture of caring and programming that puts the person living with the disease at the center of everything we do."
Holt Klinger encourages people with dementia to have open, honest conversations with their loved ones early in the disease process.
The downloadable Alzheimer's care journal has been designed to help with these discussions. "When a person with the dementia makes it clear how they would like to live, what brings them purpose and joy, and what will matter to them as the condition progresses, it is much easier for care partners to help create and sustain the life that is meaningful to them."
Plummer, who raised three sons on a farm, has played the harmonica much of her life and has long loved to dance.
She bowled in leagues with an 11-pound ball until her local alley closed when she was 101. Learning about these passions in order to provide person-centered care was a crucial first step when she moved into Brookdale College Square in Overland Park, Kansas.
"When a new resident arrives, we work on understanding their life story, what they love to do, what engages them," said Brookdale's Pamela Luna, Clare Bridge program coordinator who works with Plummer. "Then we incorporate these interests into our activities calendar so they can continue to pursue them and also connect with others by sharing them."
Plummer happily accepted the suggestion that she play her harmonica for other residents and has joined in the frequent dancing at Brookdale College Square. Her passion for bowling has prompted the community to plan a resident league.
"She's involved and active," said Gary Herrick, Plummer's son. "Everything has made her life more enjoyable and that's the key for our family. We want her to be happy."
"All of us define ourselves by what we do well," Holt Klinger said. "It's crucial that people with dementia continue to have access to that things they want to do, for which they are talented and skilled - in short, that make them still feel like and be themselves."
In addition to focusing on person-centered dementia care in its Clare Bridge Program, Brookdale dedicates significant time and resources to the fight against the disease, with strong participation in the Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's. In 2016, the company raised more than $2.4 million and remained the largest fundraiser nationally, with over 6,800 associates, residents and family members taking part in the 706 teams Brookdale fielded for the Walk nationwide. Since 2008, Brookdale has contributed nearly $10 million to the Walk to End Alzheimer's.
Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)
What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease?
Dementia is a general term for a decline in memory and thinking severe enough to affect daily life, while Alzheimer's disease is the most common specific cause of dementia.
Can physical activity help slow the progression of dementia?
Regular physical activity is linked to better mood, sleep, balance and overall health in people with dementia, and some studies suggest it may help support thinking skills, though it does not cure the disease.
Why is music so meaningful for people living with dementia?
Musical memories are often preserved longer than other memories, so familiar songs and playing an instrument can lift mood, spark recall, reduce agitation and help people connect with others.
What activities are good for seniors with dementia?
Good choices build on past interests and abilities, such as music, dancing, gardening, simple crafts, walking, cooking, games, looking at photos and light sports adapted to the person's skills.
How can families talk about care wishes after a dementia diagnosis?
Families can talk early and openly about daily routines, favorite activities, living arrangements, medical choices and legal planning, and write these wishes down while the person can clearly express them.
What is a memory care community?
A memory care community is a type of senior living designed for people with dementia, offering secure spaces, specially trained staff, structured routines and activities suited to changing cognitive needs.
Is it common for people to live past 100 with dementia?
Dementia becomes more common with age, and a large share of centenarians show some degree of cognitive decline, but many still enjoy meaningful activities and relationships with the right support.
How can caregivers reduce the risk of falls in people with dementia?
Caregivers can reduce fall risk by keeping walkways clear, improving lighting, using supportive footwear, encouraging regular exercise, reviewing medications and keeping the person engaged and active.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: What makes Dorothy Plummer's story worth paying attention to is not her age alone, but the way her care was planned around her. Staff started by learning her life story, then shaped the activities calendar so she could keep doing what she does well and share it with others. That approach rests on a simple idea Holt Klinger puts plainly: people define themselves by what they are good at, and dementia does not erase that. Two practical lessons stand out for families. First, consistent care partners who know a person's history and preferences make a real difference in daily life. Second, the conversations about how someone wants to live, and what gives them purpose and joy, are best held early, while the person can still clearly express those wishes. For the millions of older adults and families facing Alzheimer's and other dementias, this is a reminder that good care is measured not just by safety, but by whether a person still gets to feel like themselves.*
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Brookdale Senior Living and published on 6 Nov 2017, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.
* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.