top of page
Search

I Met a Man with Dementia in the Coffee Shop – A Lesson in Presence

Last week, I was in a hurry, getting a hot drink to go before my yoga class, when a man in the coffee shop complimented me and then invited me to sit with him in the window. There was a kindness in his smile, a quiet curiosity in his eyes, and whilst I couldn't accept the offer to sit with him, I decided to stay and talk to him for about ten minutes.



He didn’t tell me he had dementia, but I recognised it in the way he repeated his stories, sometimes seemed momentarily lost, and needed gentle prompts to continue. At first, I hadn’t fully realised what was happening. But as I slowed down, allowed myself to be fully present with him, and listened, the ordinary coffee shop became a place of connection. I laughed, nodded, and mirrored his warmth.


In that brief encounter, I was reminded of something simple yet profound. When we allow ourselves to be present in our lived experiences, we notice the world around us more deeply. We see kindness, curiosity, and humanity in moments we might otherwise rush past. Being present does not solve the challenges of dementia, or any difficulty in life, but it allows us to connect, to understand, and to make someone feel seen.


Even small moments of attention can transform our day and the day of others. The essence of connection is not in fixing or explaining, but in being there, fully, with openness and care. Dementia may cloud memory, but it cannot diminish curiosity, warmth, or the need to be seen.


As I left for my yoga class, I felt quietly moved. Life often passes quickly, but when we practice presence, even fleeting encounters become meaningful. Being present in your own life allows you to notice the world, and in doing so, make it a kinder, more compassionate place.


If you or someone you know is suffering from dementia, there are places you can reach out for support:


Naomi Hurst

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page