The golden years doesn’t mean it’s the end of life. Director Louise Detlefsen saw the impact of founding nurse of Dagmarsminde, May Bjerre Eiby, on treating dementia patients in a nursing home without medicine. Rather, it was with hugs, love, and joy. 

In the documentary, It Is Not Over Yet, Detlefsen follows the activities, nurses, and patients of Dagmarsminde in Denmark over a period of time. As a result, the movie filmed the wonders and treatments to allow the nursing home to live the best part of their lives. 

Here’s is the official synopsis: 

It Is Not Over Yet is an immersive, life-affirming journey into the day-to-day rhythm of a controversial nursing home for people with dementia in Denmark. 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 Logstrup. ‘Compass Treatment,’ as May calls it, prioritize 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, Bjerre Eiby 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 medication of any kind. 

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LRM Online’s Gig Patta chatted with director Louise Detlefsen and nurse May Bjerre Eiby on this debateble treatment and the care provided to the residents of Dagmarsminde. 

Louise Detlefsen is a documentary director based in Denmark. She directed many documentaries, including Fat Front, Hjerter Dame, Lovebirds, and 7.9.13. 

It Is Not Over Yet is currently playing during the 2021 Hot Docs Festival. 

Watch the exclusive interview below. Let us know what you think. 

Source: LRM Online Exclusive