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Using Zinnia TV to Calm Agitation and Support Daily Routines in Dementia Care

Zinnia TV is a specialized streaming service designed for people living with dementia, offering calming, plot-free videos that can ease agitation and help with daily tasks like toileting and taking medication. Research has shown that watching these videos regularly can normalize activities and reduce stress for both the person with dementia and their caregiver. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your loved one's agitation or struggling to get them through daily routines, this tool offers a simple, non-pharmacological approach you can try today. It is not a cure, but many families find it makes caregiving feel easier and creates moments of connection. This article walks you through exactly how to use Zinnia TV, what to say, and how to adapt it for different situations.

Key points

  • Zinnia TV is a research-backed tool that uses simple, plot-free videos to reduce agitation and support daily routines like toileting and medication.
  • Use videos proactively—start them about 30 minutes before sundowning or before a daily task to prevent agitation, not just during a crisis.
  • Daily use of daily living videos helps normalize activities and reduces stress for the person with dementia, according to research.
  • Pair Zinnia TV with a calm, warm voice and your presence. The video is a tool, not a replacement for human connection.
  • Personalize the content: experiment with different channels (nature, daily living, music) to find what your loved one responds to best.
  • If your loved one has Lewy body dementia or hallucinations, consult their doctor before using any screen-based intervention.

What Is Zinnia TV and How Does It Work?

Zinnia TV is a streaming app you can use on a connected TV, tablet, or smartphone. Unlike regular television, which often has fast-moving plots, loud sounds, or confusing commercials, Zinnia TV's content is deliberately simple and calming. The videos show beautiful footage of people doing everyday activities—like getting dressed, using the toilet, or taking medication—without any storyline to follow. This is important because a person with dementia may struggle to follow a plot, and regular TV can actually increase agitation or confusion. Zinnia TV was developed and tested in research settings, including a study at the University of British Columbia, where it was used in hospitals and long-term care. The research focused on three main uses: reducing agitation, creating moments of joy, and helping with adherence to daily living tasks.

Why Does Zinnia TV Help with Agitation?

Agitation in dementia often comes from feeling overwhelmed, confused, or anxious. The brain can no longer filter out background noise or process complex information easily. Zinnia TV works by providing a calm, predictable visual experience that does not demand anything from the viewer. The videos are designed to be engaging without being overstimulating, which can help redirect the person's attention away from whatever is causing their distress. The research found that watching these videos can ease agitation, especially when used proactively—for example, starting a video about 30 minutes before sundowning typically begins. This is similar to how music therapy has been shown to improve symptoms of agitation and aggression when used for 30 minutes at least three times a week. By giving the brain a soothing focus, Zinnia TV can help prevent the escalation of agitation.

How Can Zinnia TV Help with Daily Tasks Like Toileting and Medication?

One of the biggest challenges in dementia care is getting a loved one to cooperate with daily routines like toileting, showering, or taking medication. Often, the person may feel anxious, embarrassed, or simply not understand why they need to do something. Zinnia TV has a dedicated channel of 'daily living videos' that show other people calmly doing these activities. By watching someone else use the toilet or take medication, the person with dementia sees that the activity is normal and safe. The research showed that when these videos are watched on a daily basis, they help normalize the activity and take some of the stress away. You can use the video right before you start the task—for example, play the 'let's take medication' video while you are getting the pills ready, then say, 'Look, it's time for us to do that too.' This can reduce resistance and make the routine feel less like a battle.

General caregiving information, not medical advice. Check medications and major care changes with your clinician.

Step-by-step

  1. Introduce Zinnia TV during calm moments so the content becomes familiar, not during a crisis.

  2. Start a calming Zinnia video about 30 minutes before the typical window of agitation, such as late afternoon or early evening (sundowning).

  3. Pair Zinnia TV with daily tasks like toileting, dressing, or medication by playing a related video first, then gently guiding the task with phrases like 'Let's watch this together, and then we will do it.'

  4. When agitation is already happening, calmly offer a video and sit beside your loved one, letting the screen redirect their attention without reasoning or arguing.

  5. If caring from a distance or in a facility, use Jubilee TV to schedule Zinnia videos automatically and to check in via video call.

  6. Keep a log of which videos and times of day drew the best response to refine your short list over the first few weeks.

  7. Stay present with your loved one while the video plays; your calm companionship turns the screen into genuine comfort.

What not to do

  • Do not use regular television as a substitute for Zinnia TV; fast cuts, loud commercials, and complex plots often increase agitation.

  • Do not force your loved one to watch during a severe agitation episode; offer gently and try again later if they walk away.

  • Do not expect Zinnia TV to work instantly every time; finding the right videos usually requires repeated, patient experimentation.

  • Do not use it as a babysitter or leave your loved one alone with it for long stretches; stay nearby to share the calm.

  • Do not use Zinnia TV if your loved one experiences visual hallucinations triggered by screens, especially in Lewy body dementia; check with their doctor first.

Practical tools

  • The 'Let's Watch Together' Script

    Use a calm lead-in for daily tasks: 'I have a video to show you about [task]. Let's watch it together, and then we will do it.' Assumed cooperation reduces resistance.

  • Daily Video-Routine Schedule

    A written or digital list pairing each part of the day with a specific Zinnia video (e.g., 7:30 AM 'Let's Get Dressed,' 12:00 PM 'Let's Eat,' 6:00 PM calming nature video). Post it and check off items for predictability.

  • Weighted Blanket for Restless Watching

    If your loved one fidgets or cannot settle while watching, drape a weighted blanket over their lap or shoulders. The gentle pressure can help them sink into the video and reduce restlessness.

  • Jubilee TV for Remote and Facility Care

    A device and service that schedules Zinnia videos automatically on your loved one's TV and adds a video-calling screen. Useful for long-distance caregivers or keeping routines consistent in assisted living.

  • 'Go-To' Comfort Video List

    After a few weeks, write down the 2 or 3 Zinnia videos that most reliably calm your loved one. Keep the list by the remote or as a phone note for quick access during sudden agitation.

Discuss with your clinician

If your loved one has a history of seizures or epilepsy, ask their doctor if watching videos could trigger a seizure.

If your loved one is on medications that affect alertness or mood, ask the doctor if using Zinnia TV could interact with those medications or if the timing of videos should be adjusted.

If your loved one has vision problems (like cataracts or macular degeneration), ask their eye doctor or primary care provider if the screen brightness or video content is appropriate.

If your loved one has a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia and experiences visual hallucinations, ask the doctor if screen-based interventions are safe or if alternative calming strategies (like music) should be used instead.

If agitation or resistance to daily tasks persists despite using Zinnia TV, ask the doctor if there might be an underlying medical cause (like a urinary tract infection, pain, or medication side effect) that needs to be addressed.

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