Skip to main content

The Power of Play: Providing Children Comfort + Connection

October 27, 2025

Tufts Medicine Care at Home delivers complex medical care to patients of all ages in the comfort of their homes. While home-based care can ease anxiety and improve quality of life, it can also be isolating— especially for children facing serious diagnoses. Many pediatric patients can’t attend school or interact with peers, leaving them disconnected during an already difficult time.

Child playing tablet at home

Thanks to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, Care at Home is helping bridge that gap.

Support from Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation provides pediatric patients with interactive gaming devices that offer entertainment, connection and a sense of normalcy during treatment.

With this grant, Care at Home has distributed devices like Nintendo Switch systems, LeapFrog tablets, PS4 consoles and iPads—each chosen based on the child’s age, development and needs. For immunocompromised children, these devices offer a safe way to stay connected with friends and family. They also give kids a break from focusing on illness and moments to just be kids.

As of August 2025, 16 children and their families have received gaming devices, bringing joy and relief during a stressful time. In some cases, siblings have also received devices, recognizing the emotional toll a serious diagnosis can have on the whole family. This grant has created shared experiences and smiles for patients and loved ones alike.

Discover more about opportunities to give to Care at Home

MENTIONED IN THIS PAGE:
Diane Connolly-Zaniboni with her family
Articles
Driving Discovery: How a License Plate Fuels Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research
October 30, 2025
The story behind Massachusetts’ ‘Cure Breast Cancer’ license plate: How the Diane Connolly-Zaniboni Fund has supported nearly 20 years of cutting-edge breast cancer research at Tufts Medical Center.
Susan and Mark Dionne
Articles
Scaling Up Care: Generous Donation Helps Heart Failure Patients Monitor Their Health at Home
October 29, 2025
Longtime Chelmsford residents Susan and Mark Dionne have always turned to Lowell General Hospital for care, drawn to its community feel and patient-first philosophy. Over a decade ago, their connection deepened—Mark joined the Lowell General Hospital Board of Governors and Susan became active in the Auxiliary. As they got to know the staff and clinicians, Lowell General’s compassionate, patient-centered care left a lasting impression.
High Pointe House Garden
Articles
High Pointe House Receives $5,000 Grant for Therapeutic Healing Garden
October 28, 2025
High Pointe House has received a generous $5,000 grant from the Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union to establish a therapeutic healing garden on our grounds in Haverhill, Mass.

Be among the first to know

Enjoy the latest health updates from Tufts Medicine by signing up for our e-newsletter today.

Jump back to top