From Heartache to Hope: The Story of Aegeliss
My grandparents, my cousin, and I were performing at our family’s Lunar New Year performance in the 2000s. (Photo by Ju Tu)
The taste of gold chocolate coins, which my grandpa would secretly slip to me during the Lunar New Year, is a memory that warms my heart even now. He was a force of life – a respected people leader, a vibrant performer in the retirement community, and a man who radiated joy. Memory loss was the last thing anyone would associate with him.
Until it wasn't.
My grandmother, his lifelong partner, began to shoulder a burden too heavy to bear silently. Her own health began to suffer. I watched as their vibrant lives shrank to the confines of a television screen, their conversations filled with complaints rather than laughter.
Driven by a desperate need for change, I searched for meaningful ways to reconnect with them. The options I found were disheartening. Most engagement products were stigmatizing, childish, or very complex.
On a hunch, I found a couple of large puzzles and simple wooden activities for them to try. The moment my grandpa, after days of patient effort, completed a 36-piece puzzle, his eyes lit up. It was a moment of pure, unfiltered joy. My grandmother said, "I enjoyed them, too. Can you bring more next time?"
The spark in their eyes was unforgettable. It affirmed my belief that I was onto something truly important.
My grandparents did not grow up playing puzzles, but they were instantly drawn to the puzzles and other activities I bought for them. The puzzles kept them focused and engaged as a great alternative to watching TV. As I watched them enjoy their new hobby, I also noticed the hours they spent hunched over the table. The observation sparked the idea for our ergonomic stand, a way to support their new passion in comfort. (Photo by Ju Tu)
A New Hobby, a New Problem
Watching my grandparents discover their love for puzzles was a delight. Though they hadn't grown up with them, they became instantly focused and engaged—a wonderful, screen-free alternative.
However, as they embraced this new hobby, I began to notice a few issues. They were spending hours hunched over the table. The crucial reference picture was hard to view, and I often had to prop up the front product packaging. Furthermore, the raised edge of the puzzle box made it uncomfortable to rest their wrists. These observations were the initial spark for designing a dementia-friendly puzzle and an ergonomic stand to support their newfound passion with comfort.
A Lesson in Strengths
My grandparents’ positive reaction to the puzzles was more than just a happy moment. It was a lesson: meaningful engagement can have a significant, positive impact on daily quality of life.
This passion led me to research, and I soon discovered the Montessori principles for dementia care. The human-centered approach resonated deeply with me, as it focuses on empowering individuals and creating a supportive environment, rather than emphasizing their limitations.
I brought this mindset home. I encouraged my grandma to help my grandpa engage in more independent activities that he personally enjoyed. It took time to help shift my grandma’s perspective. Her focus slowly moved from a weakness-oriented one (“He always forgets the simplest things”) to a strength-oriented one (“He is so good at telling stories, singing songs, making the bed, and tending the garden”).
Once that shift happened, their entire daily dynamic was changed.
My grandfather has been an avid gardener for years. Taking care of the garden has given him a strong sense of responsibility and tremendous joy over the years, even to this day. (Photo by Ju Tu)
From Complaints to Celebration
This new mindset changed how I saw everything.
When I was chatting with my grandparents at home, my grandma “complained” about how meticulous my grandpa was about making beds. I smiled and told her, “You’re so lucky to have someone keeping things organized and tidy at home for you at this age!” She laughed, and in that moment, I wanted to celebrate his skill. I invited my grandpa to fold a blanket for a demo and to set an example for the family. He did, and I recorded it.
This simple video has become something I will hold dear for life.
The Birth of Aegeliss
Aegeliss was born from that spark. But I knew that to create truly dementia-friendly products, I couldn’t just be an observer. I needed to immerse myself.
Since then, I have volunteered extensively at Elderwise, a local dementia-focused adult day program, witnessing the wisdom and creativity of elders firsthand. I became a Dementia Friend Champion, spoke with countless eldercare experts and caregivers, and took formal training in Montessori principles in dementia care to truly understand the needs of the memory community.
This journey led me to partner with the industry's leading expert, the Center for Applied Research in Dementia. All of our products have been developed from scratch and through an extensively collaborative process. It’s been a long, winding road to our launch, but we wouldn't change a thing. Elders and their families deserve the best. Creating functional, helpful, and delightful products to improve people's quality of life is how we aim to make the world a better place.
I volunteered at Elderwise at both the Seattle and Bellevue locations every week from fall 2024 to summer 2025. Witnessing the wisdom, imagination, and artistic creativity of elders unfold before me was pure magic. (Photo by Ju Tu)
Our Mission
This is the heart of Aegeliss: We were born from a desire to redefine dementia care, to reclaim the joy and connection that dementia threatens to steal. The capacity for creativity, laughter, independence, and connection remains even as memories fade. We focus on celebrating strengths, not dwelling on limitations. Art, music, movement, and any type of cognitive engagement are not just “activities”; they are pathways to preserving skills, fostering bonds, and rediscovering the joy that every person deserves.
My family's struggle is not unique. It's a story shared by millions, and it's why Aegeliss was born.
We invite you to join our community, to share your stories, and find hope and support. Together, we redefine dementia caregiving, one meaningful moment at a time.