My experience at VataVriksh Parent Care has truly been one of the most eye-opening and meaningful experiences of my life. What began as an internship soon became a journey of learning, emotional growth, and understanding the realities of ageing and dementia care. From interacting with elderly residents to understanding the complexities of cognitive decline, every day brought a new perspective and a deeper sense of empathy.
Under the guidance of Dr. Subodh Kumar, I gained valuable insight into concepts related to dementia, cognition, patient care, and emotional well-being. His guidance helped me move beyond textbook knowledge and understand the human side of healthcare — the importance of patience, compassion, and meaningful connection.
On the very first day, we were introduced to the elderly residents and encouraged to spend time interacting with them. Since it was my first experience in such a setting, I initially felt nervous and unsure about how to communicate. However, those conversations quickly taught me that emotional connection matters far more than perfect words. A smile, attentive listening, or simply sitting beside someone could make them feel valued and heard.
One of the most important aspects of the internship was learning about dementia and the different ways it affects individuals. Dementia is not a single disease but a condition that impacts memory, thinking, orientation, and daily functioning. Some residents struggled with remembering recent events, while others experienced confusion, behavioural changes, emotional withdrawal, or difficulty recognising people around them. Understanding these differences helped me approach every resident with greater sensitivity and patience.
As the internship progressed, we also worked on creative engagement activities for the residents. With guidance from Dr. Subodh, we brainstormed ideas for blog content, social media awareness campaigns, and short film projects related to elderly care and dementia awareness. These activities not only strengthened our communication and teamwork skills but also taught us how awareness and storytelling can play a major role in mental health advocacy.
At the same time, the internship came with several emotional and practical challenges. Communicating with residents experiencing cognitive decline often required simplified language, repetition, gestures, and non-verbal communication. There were moments when conversations became emotionally difficult, especially while witnessing confusion, dependency, or memory loss among residents. Learning to maintain emotional balance while still being empathetic and supportive was one of the biggest lessons of this experience.
Another important realization for me was that dementia affects every individual differently. Some residents with severe dementia were surprisingly interactive, expressive, and willing to engage in activities, while others with milder symptoms preferred silence or isolation. This challenged many of my assumptions and reinforced the importance of person-centered care instead of generalizing patients based on diagnosis alone.
This experience also made me reflect on how rapidly dementia cases are increasing today. Through discussions with doctors and residents, I understood that dementia is not only linked to ageing but is also influenced by loneliness, stress, social isolation, lack of emotional connection, and reduced mental stimulation. In today’s fast-paced world of constant scrolling and passive consumption, we often forget to actively engage our minds. Simple habits like reading, writing, solving puzzles, learning new skills, drawing, or even performing everyday activities differently can help keep the brain active and stimulated.
More than anything, this internship reminded me of the importance of spending time with our elders. Sometimes, all they truly need is companionship, patience, and someone willing to listen to their stories. A small conversation or a few moments of attention can make an enormous emotional difference in their lives.
My journey at VataVriksh Parent Care became much more than an academic experience. It taught me empathy, emotional sensitivity, communication, patience, and the true value of human connection. It reshaped the way I view ageing, mental health, and caregiving, and it is an experience that will continue to influence both my personal and professional growth for years to come.
Looking for Compassionate Parent Care?
If you or your loved ones are seeking a safe, nurturing, and dignified environment for elderly parents, VataVriksh Parent Care is here to help.
- Explore our Parent Care services
- Explore Day Care for Dementia Patients
- Schedule a visit or consultation
- Let us help your parents rediscover comfort, care, and peace
Written by:
Manasvini
Intern, VataVriksh Parent Care
Psychology Student, Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi
