Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey
Helping to change the conversations we have with our loved ones about aging and life decisions. Each episode contains information to help you and your family work through the "not ready yet" conversation of aging.
Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey
Interview with Allyson Schrier, Co-Founder and President of Zinnia TV
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Connecting Through Visuals: How Zinnia TV Supports Dementia Care with Allyson Schrier
What if one simple change could reduce agitation, spark meaningful conversations, and help someone living with dementia feel more connected?
In this episode of Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey, Lisa Harper sits down with Allyson Schrier, founder and CEO of Zinnia TV, to discuss how thoughtfully designed visual programming is transforming dementia care.
Inspired by her own experience caring for a loved one with dementia, Allyson created Zinnia TV after recognizing that traditional television often overwhelms people living with cognitive changes. Instead, Zinnia offers slow-paced, calming, dialogue-free content designed to engage, comfort, and reconnect individuals with their memories, interests, and identity.
Together, Lisa and Allyson explore why understanding the changing brain is one of the greatest gifts caregivers can give themselves and the people they love.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why Allyson created Zinnia TV from her own caregiving experience
- How visual content can reduce agitation and improve engagement
- The science behind changing visual perception in dementia
- Why traditional television can increase confusion and anxiety
- How personalized playlists create moments of connection
- Ways technology can support caregivers without replacing human interaction
- Practical strategies to simplify routines and daily activities
- Why preserving identity and purpose matters throughout the dementia journey
Whether you're caring for a parent, spouse, friend, or supporting families professionally, this conversation offers practical tools and a hopeful perspective on living well with dementia.
Memorable Quotes
"My driving force is my personal experience as a caregiver."
"Zinnia is not just a replacement for television."
"Visual perception changes increase fall risk in dementia."
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Lisa Harper and Allyson Schrier
00:26 – Allyson's personal caregiving journey
01:22 – The inspiration behind Zinnia TV
04:22 – What is Zinnia TV?
06:39 – Why traditional television doesn't work well for dementia
08:01 – Creating connection through visual media
12:14 – What the research shows
16:37 – Unlocking memories and preserving identity
22:00 – Building personalized playlists
24:41 – Visual perception changes and fall risks
30:51 – Simplifying daily routines
36:27 – Supporting emotional well-being
If this episode encourages you or someone you love, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another caregiver or family navigating the aging journey.
Resources: Zinniatv.com
Keywords: Dementia, Alzheimer's, Dementia Care, Caregiving, Family Caregiver, Zinnia TV, Memory Care, Aging Parents, Dementia Support, Senior Care, Caregiver Resources, Aging Journey, Alzheimer's Support, Visual Communication
To learn more about Lisa Harper, visit notreadyyet.com
© 2025-2026 Lisa M. Harper. All rights reserved. “Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey” is a trademark of Lisa M. Harper.