Inspired by Florence Nightingale’s methods from 150 years ago, a small Danish retirement home deploys a controversial new treatment for dementia patients. With hugs, conversation, eye contact and cake, they shift the focus from pharmaceuticals to care.

The founding nurse of Dagmarsminde, May Bjerre Eiby, has no interest in specific dementia diagnoses or medicine since neither improves the quality of life for her 11 residents. Instead, she and her staff have developed a new kind of treatment inspired by the methods introduced by Florence Nightingale 150 years ago, as well as Danish philosopher Løgstrup. ‘Compassion Treatment,’ as May calls it, prioritizes hugs, touch, talking, humor, eye contact, cake, nature, bubbles, and the joy of community.

Having suffered the painful loss of her father due to neglect at a nursing home, May is determined to inspire a complete change in the way people with dementia are treated in the healthcare system, prioritizing holistic care and kindness over unnecessary medications.

Filmmaker Louise Detlefsen’s vérité approach offers unique access into the intimate and sometimes intense moments between residents and caregivers, providing a rarely seen and uplifting experience of aging with dignity, grace, and joy.

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Age-friendly Peterborough (AFP) is a collaboration that empowers and enables communities in the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations to support healthy aging.

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The Trent Centre for Aging & Society gathers faculty, students, staff, and community stakeholders to build meaningful dialogue that challenges entrenched ideas about aging, old age and older people.