A Zinnia subscriber called to share a powerful story about a gentleman in long term care who is in a wheelchair, is mostly nonverbal, and is largely ignored by people who think he is too advanced in his dementia to have thoughts, opinions, interactions.
Working as a volunteer, she showed him the Zinnia quiz about fish. The gentleman stunned everyone by answering each of the questions–and getting them right! The staff showered him with hugs and cheers. They understood, as they had not before, that when supporting people with dementia it is our job to be curious, and to never stop looking for a way in. Zinnia’s large and growing collection of content lets you share familiar images that spark memories, drive connection, and allow the person with dementia to shine.
Have you watched this video of the incomparable Naomi Feil using empathy, compassion and patience to connect with Mrs. Wilson, a woman with late stage dementia who seems at first to be unreachable? Or this snippet from the film Alive Inside that demonstrates how music unlocks the personhood of Henry, a man who is mostly mute and disengaged?
It cracks my heart into jagged little pieces when I hear things like, “I don’t visit Dad anymore because he doesn’t even know I’m there,” or, “It doesn’t matter what you say around her–she doesn’t understand anymore.”
Regardless of where someone is in their disease trajectory, they deserve to be connected with. Or at least to have someone try. Hold their hand. Remind them that they matter.
ZinniaTV is here to help!
