When They Feel Safe, They Bloom

The dementia care pilot on the Acute Care unit began as a small, six-bed initiative. Today, it has quickly evolved into a program that helps Veterans rediscover abilities, form meaningful connections, and regain a sense of self.

Dementia Care Professionals

As dementia care became an increasing priority across the health system, Durham VA turned to the compassion and expertise of its caregivers. Their dedication became the foundation of the dementia care pilot. Their skills and empathy continue to reshape the daily lives of Veterans who often struggle with fear, confusion, and isolation.

Registered nurse Sylvia Watson, who has championed the effort since her first day at Durham VA, said the change has been immediate.

“I have been advocating for this since day one,” said Watson. “When the pilot finally began, I felt the happiest I’d ever been at the VA, and I could see the change in the patients.”

The need for change had been clear. Veterans with dementia admitted to acute care were experiencing increased falls, agitation, and wandering. Many spent entire days alone in unfamiliar rooms, unsure where they were or why they were hospitalized. The pilot aims to break that cycle by creating a calm, structured, dementia friendly environment staffed by caregivers trained specifically for this vulnerable population.

What happened next changed everything.

A Place Where Veterans Can Be Themselves Again

The team transformed a conference room into a bright, engaging activity hub filled with music, puzzles, art, and games. Every activity is personalized and built around each Veteran’s history, strengths, and cognitive ability.

“To care for them is to know them,” said Nurse Manager Anuradha Pant. “Their backgrounds, their routines, their fears - it all matters. When we honor their interests, everything changes. They trust us.”

Each day, Veterans cook personal pizzas, join group movement sessions, listen to music, or simply laugh together over shared memories. Even the most withdrawn patients began to adapt to the change slowly.

One moment became symbolic of the entire pilot. A previously isolated Veteran, who struggled to communicate, sat down at the piano in the chapel. Staff expected hesitant notes. Instead, he began playing fluently and rediscovered a talent he didn’t remember he had.

“Watching him play…it lit something inside him,” Watson said. “We all felt it.”

A Foundation for the Future

The success of the pilot has sparked conversations about establishing a permanent memory care unit at the medical center. It will be a dedicated, dementia friendly space with trained staff, structured routines, and an environment designed for calm and consistency.

“Most dementia patients feel lost and alone,” said Nurse Alice Mei. “But when they come together, singing, laughing, even just sitting beside one another, the fear lifts. They feel safe. And when they feel safe, they bloom.”

Watson agreed. “Their moods change, their appetites improve, their engagement soars. These Veterans are our family,” she said. “And we become theirs.”

The Heart of Dementia Care

As the pilot continues to evolve and its impact becomes undeniable, the need for this level of care will only continue to grow.

“More Veterans are living with dementia every day,” said Pant. “They deserve individualized, specialized care.”

In the unit, a handmade quilt is displayed on the wall, adorned with a patchwork of colorful fabric squares that symbolize each Veteran's individuality and the memories that shape their lives. Above it reads: “It’s our job to remember who they are.”

For the Veterans who rediscover confidence and connection, the pilot serves as a powerful reminder that while dementia may affect memory, it never erases identity.