Caring for a loved one with dementia asks more of your heart and your energy than most people will ever understand. Many caregivers tell me they turn on the television to buy a few minutes to start dinner, return a phone call, or simply exhale. The problem is that regular television often makes things worse. Plots move fast. Sound jumps suddenly. Commercials shout. Your loved one can become confused, agitated, or withdrawn instead of calm and engaged.
In today’s post, I want to introduce you to an option designed for dementia brains and caregiver realities. It is called Zinnia TV, a streaming service created by caregiver and founder Allyson Schrier after walking the frontotemporal dementia journey with her husband, Evan. In our conversation, Allyson shared how she transformed a painful problem into a practical solution that helps families connect, soothe agitation, and enjoy meaningful moments again.
This is not about screen time as a babysitter. It is about using the right kind of visual and audio input to meet a changing brain where it is, so your loved one can focus, relax, and feel successful. I will walk through what Zinnia TV is, why typical TV backfires, real results families are seeing, and simple ways to put it to work in your home or care community today.
As always, nothing here replaces medical care. Use what is helpful, skip what is not, and talk with your loved one’s healthcare team about any questions.
The Caregiver Story Behind Zinnia TV
Before Zinnia TV existed, Allyson was doing what many of you are doing right now. She was raising two children, moving the family to be closer to school and services, juggling appointments, and trying to keep everyone afloat while her husband’s frontotemporal dementia progressed. Conversations grew harder. Visits felt more transactional. She needed a way to reach past the disease and into the person she loved.
She discovered something important. When she brought visual items tied to Evan’s interests, the connection returned. Hockey gloves. A puck. A favorite magazine. Then she used her phone to make simple photo videos with slow music. Those short videos opened doors that everyday talk could not. In long term care, she also noticed something else. When regular TV was on, Evan often looked tense, frustrated, or shut down. The more the screen shouted, the more his body did too.
Allyson searched for television made for dementia and found a gap. So she built the thing she needed.
Why Regular TV Can Agitate People Living With Dementia
Most television is designed to grab attention with quick edits, layered sound, bright graphics, and constant plot shifts. That is the opposite of what a brain with dementia finds soothing. As dementia progresses, it becomes more difficult to follow storylines, separate fact from fiction, and process rapidly changing sound and visuals. The result can be agitation, fear, irritability, or complete withdrawal.
Caregivers see the fallout. The person who seemed fine a few minutes ago is now upset. Words are sharper. Sleep is harder. Everyone feels off. It is not a character flaw. It is the brain reacting to input that overwhelms its filters.
Zinnia TV flips that script. It slows everything down so the brain can keep up.
What Zinnia TV Is and How It Works
Think of Zinnia TV as a streaming library like Netflix, but the entire catalog is curated and produced for dementia care. Videos are:
- Slow paced and gentle so the brain can process what it sees and hears.
- Clear and predictable with minimal background noise and no plot twists to track.
- Interest based so you can choose topics that match your loved one’s life story.
- Success oriented with options like sing-alongs and multiple choice quizzes that fade to the correct answer so no one feels like they are failing.
- Care tasks supportive with brief, visual priming videos that can ease daily routines such as bathing or getting dressed.
There are channels for travel, animals, music, nature, baking, whitewater rafting, sewing, sports, faith, and many more. The content is created to be digestible and engaging for people living with dementia while inviting companions to join in.
Real Results: Stories That Stay With You
Two stories from Allyson’s work illustrate the impact.
A hospital calms agitation without rushing to medication.
A gentleman who loved cars had become severely agitated. Instead of restraining or medicating, staff walked with him to a quiet room where a wall projection played a Zinnia cars video. Within moments he began teaching the staff about models on the screen. His posture softened. His voice grew steady. He moved from “problem patient” to respected expert in the room. That shift changed how the team saw him and how he saw himself.
A man labeled nonverbal becomes the loudest voice in the room.
During a care community visit, a volunteer chose Zinnia’s American literature quiz for a former newspaper writer named John. Staff knew him as nonverbal and largely shut down. The first question appeared. John shouted, “Tom Sawyer.” He answered every question out loud and beamed with pride. The care team lit up too. They suddenly had a way to reach him.
These are not isolated anecdotes. Families report lower stress, easier transitions between tasks, and deeper moments of connection when they match the video to the person’s interests.
When Zinnia TV Helps Most
Every family is different, but caregivers consistently find Zinnia TV helpful during:
Meal prep and evening routines. Calmer visuals can reduce the late-day spike in restlessness.
Bathing, dressing, and grooming. A short priming video before the task provides a visual cue about what will happen next.
Medical visits or waiting rooms. Headphones and a tablet can turn a stressful wait into a quieter experience.
Family visits and holidays. When friends want to connect but are unsure how to start, a 5 to 10 minute interest video becomes the bridge.
Overnight wake-ups. Gentle, low stimulation content can help settle the nervous system without bright lights or loud noise.
The goal is not to park someone in front of a screen all day. The goal is to choose a short, supportive input that sets up success for the next activity and gives the caregiver a small pocket of breathing room.
How to Choose the Right Video: An Easy Matching Guide
Use this quick guide to pick a topic that meets your loved one where they are today.
- List three lifelong interests. Sports, gardening, cooking, cars, travel, animals, music, faith traditions, or crafts.
- Note current tolerance for sound and motion. If the person startles easily, choose the quietest, slowest options first.
- Pick for success, not challenge. A topic they once loved but now finds frustrating is not the right fit. Choose something familiar and soothing.
- Keep it short. Start with 5 to 10 minutes. Watch their face and body. If you see a relaxed posture, soft eyes, or engaged humming, you have a match.
- Pair with purpose. Plan what you will do with the calm time. Start dinner, set out clothes, or begin a simple conversation sparked by the video.
Scripts and Prompts You Can Use While You Watch Together
Gentle narration helps your loved one make sense of what they see. Try phrases like:
“Look at those quiet waves. Let’s count them together.”
“That quilt looks like the one you made for the grandkids.”
“I see a brown horse and a white horse. Which one would you brush first?”
“This reminds me of the peaches you picked every summer. If we had one now, how would you slice it?”
You are not quizzing. You are inviting. If words do not come, that is okay. Shared viewing still reduces stress and can lift mood.
Using Zinnia TV for Activities of Daily Living
Many caregivers tell me the hardest moments are transitions. Start here:
Before the bath. Play a short bathing priming video. Then say, “First we watch, next we wash.” Move slowly. Keep water temperature warm and lights gentle.
Before getting dressed. Watch a brief dressing video. Lay out two clothing choices to keep decisions simple.
Before teeth brushing. Show a one to two minute oral care video and place the toothbrush in hand. Model the motion with your own brush.
These steps do not remove every challenge, but they reduce surprise and make cooperation more likely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this only for late stage dementia?
No. Families use it across all stages. Early on, interest videos can spark conversation and preserve identity. Later, slow-paced content can soothe and reduce overwhelm.
Will this replace walks or music therapy?
No. Think of it as one more tool. Continue favorite activities that bring joy. Zinnia can ease transitions, give you a break, and add variety.
What if my loved one never liked TV?
This is very different from television as most of us know it. Try a single topic tied to a strong personal interest for five minutes. Watch their body language. If they relax, you have something to build on.
How much does it cost?
Allyson shared that the service is designed to be affordable for families with a yearly subscription and a free trial. In her conversation she also mentioned a limited time Careblazers20 promo. Prices and promotions can change, so check the Zinnia TV website for current details.
Simple Setup in Five Minutes
Open the Zinnia TV site or app on a tablet, phone, smart TV, or laptop.
Choose one interest channel that fits your loved one today.
Adjust volume to low and reduce other room noise.
Sit together for the first few minutes. Offer a hand to hold or a soft blanket.
Step away for a short task when you see the person settle.
If the video creates agitation, stop immediately and choose an even simpler option next time. Your observation is the most important setting.
What I Appreciate Most About Zinnia TV
As a geropsychologist and a family member who has sat at bedsides, I value any tool that honors the person while supporting the caregiver. Zinnia TV does that in three ways.
It preserves dignity. Content is adult, respectful, and aligned with personal interests.
It reduces caregiver stress. A calmer person means fewer battles and more energy left for the rest of the day.
It strengthens relationships. Videos become conversation starters, not conversation stoppers.
Families in our community have brought Zinnia to my attention because it helps them. That means something to me.
Holiday and Visit Ideas You Can Use Right Away
Create a tradition. Begin each visit with a five minute interest video, then look at photos or sing a familiar song.
Prepare guests. Share the link to a favorite channel before family arrives so they can join in without guessing what to do.
Anchor big days. On holidays, play a calming nature video before the meal and a sing-along after dessert to bookend stimulation.
Short, predictable rituals bring rhythm to days that can otherwise feel chaotic.
The Heart Behind the Name
Allyson named the service after the zinnia flower. Zinnias are hardy, colorful, and long lasting even in less than ideal conditions. That image speaks to dementia caregiving. We are all doing our best to help life bloom in the middle of hard circumstances. Tools that make that easier are worth sharing.
Closing Encouragement
Careblazer, you are not alone. If regular television leaves your loved one unsettled, it is not your fault and it is not theirs. The brain is doing the best it can. Zinnia TV is one practical way to offer a calmer alternative, spark connection, and give yourself a few minutes to breathe. Start small, match the topic to the person you love, and let the video do the gentle work of inviting them into a peaceful moment.
Try Zinnia TV here: https://zinniatv.com
Use promo code CAREBLAZERS20 for 20% off an annual subscription and a 14-day free trial.
If you want more step-by-step tools like this, plus caregiver stories, scripts, and weekly encouragement, join my free Dementia Dose newsletter by clicking here. Every Thursday, I send practical tips you can use the same day. It is the best way to make sure you never miss new resources that can lighten your load.
Watch On YouTube
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