How to engage with someone who doesn’t respond

Belma’s eyes closed lightly as she was transferred from her bed into her wheelchair and brought down the hall for breakfast. She was peaceful, but did not seem to respond much to the world around her. At times her hands were restless as they sat in her lap: picking at the chair, a blanket, or something on the table in front of her.

Belma had aphasia, which meant that she often did not speak. She did indeed “communicate,” as she would sometimes smile, nod, or touch a person who was speaking to her. Sometimes Belma would say a word or two, and it was almost always in context, which meant that she did generally understand what was happening around her.

On this day, I wanted to try something new. Belma’s family did a good job of finding little things to occupy her time: greeting cards with interesting pictures on them, TV shows, music, soft blankets with zippers and buttons. Belma had never been one for animals in her younger years, but as her dementia progressed, she found great comfort in pets.

I brought in the pet that Hasbro had sent me to try it out. My favorite pets to give to people with dementia are Memorable Pets, but I hadn’t had an opportunity to try out this animatronic cat that Hasbro had sent.

The cat moved and meowed, responding to light and touch. For someone who could use another level of interaction, this cat was a good fit. Belma squinted at the cat, trying to understand what it was. She began to pet it, slowly at first, and a smile moved across her face. The cat meowed and Belma’s smile grew a little bigger.