The Game Campaign

The Game Campaign is an evidence-based community response to dementia. By engaging thousands of people in playing challenging games like bridge and chess, we will help build “cognitive reserve,” which in turn can offset cognitive decline in people who suffer from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. In other words, even while dementia weakens the brain, cognitive reserve helps maintain functions like memory and reasoning.

The Game Campaign started in 2016 at the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, led by Dr. Anthony Chen. Now our partnership includes local, regional, and national organizations including

  • The Alzheimers Association
  • The Area Agency on Aging
  • Associated Ministries of Tacoma Pierce County
  • Spring Ridge Assisted Living & Memory Care 
  • South Sound Sports Commission
  • Tacoma Housing Authority
  • Pierce County Library System
  • Puyallup and Tacoma Public Libraries
  • Click! Network
  • Clubs for backgammon, bridge, chess, Go, and Scrabble(c)

In September, game play will begin throughout Pierce County. Coaches from various game clubs will be available at each site to teach skills.

On November 18 – International Game Day – at least 1,000 people will gather for a day of play, education and community.

After thisten week event, The Game Campaign will begin planning activities for the following year, reach out to researchers, and develop a guide for other communities to host game play events.

The Game Campaign's mission is to reduce the effects of dementia by building cognitive reserve across communities.

The Game Campaign Project Leaders include:

Janna Bardi MPH, Assistant Secretary, Prevention & Community Health Division, Washington State Department of Health

Alisa Lee, Alisa is a life-long Washingtonian. She graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 2014 with a major in politics and government. Committed to the South Sound, Alisa and her German shepherd Nadia just bought a home in Tacoma, where she's worked on political campaigns and as a legal assistant. She's an emerging leader in the community.

Ken Miller, most recently Business Innovation Manager, Tacoma Pierce County Health Department

Lyle Quasim, co-chair of the Tacoma Pierce County Black Collective and former Secretary, Washington State Department of Social & Health Services

Michelle Wyse, Community Liaison, Spring Ridge Assisted Living & Memory Care