Emagine Entertainment’s Batavia location is the first Illinois location to screen movies specifically for people with dementia and their caregivers.
Emagine Entertainment developed the Dementia Friendly Screenings program in March 2023 in Saline, Michigan, as a way to help people with dementia and memory issues enjoy movies in a comfortable setting, said Trevor Baker, chief operating officer at Emagine Entertainment.
The dementia-friendly screenings are held the second Wednesday of the month at Emagine Batavia Theatre. “Some Like It Hot” will be shown at 2 p.m. April 10 and “The Blues Brothers” will be shown at 2 p.m. May 8. Doors open at 1:15 and guests are encouraged to mingle before the shows.
“We are honored to offer our guests living with dementia and their family members the opportunity to enjoy these classic movies in a safe and welcoming environment,” said Anthony LaVerde, CEO of Emagine Entertainment.
The screenings include softer sound and ambient lighting and it’s OK for guests to talk, clap, tap their feet, sway, sing along and get up and dance. The auditoriums are located to provide easy access to the lobby, restrooms and concession area.
Reserved seating will be provided for guests in wheelchairs but otherwise guests can sit wherever they feel comfortable, he said.
The dementia-friendly screenings are added to the company’s roster of sensory-friendly screenings.
“We had been approached by a gentleman … he had seen that we did autism-friendly or sensory-friendly movies,” said Baker. “He said my wife has memory loss and it would be great to take this same idea but cater more to folks that have memory loss.”
The program started in Batavia in February, with the company reaching out to memory care and assisted living centers, he said. The first show had about 30 people and the March show had around 45.
“It will continue to grow,” Baker said. “We’ve been very excited by the reception in the Batavia community for this program.”
He loves when people thank him for giving their loved ones a “normal” experience, he said.
“It’s that comfort level we’ve heard from some of guests that have been going to the screenings,” he said. “They’re not as nervous, they don’t get as frustrated when they go out. Because they can’t do things like go grocery shopping or go out for a normal dinner because of the sensory overload.”
The movies chosen were done so with intent because chances are high that the guests saw the movies in theaters in their original run.
“And we pick musicals on purpose because that’s something they’re able to sing along to,” he said. “And most musicals are short, so they can come for an hour or an hour and a half and they don’t feel too anxious while they’re there.”
Baker said they’re working on programming for the summer. There is even talk of showing live sporting events, he said.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
Dementia-friendly movies
When: 2 p.m. April 10 and May 8
Where: Emagine Batavia, 550 N. Randall Road, Batavia
Tickets: $5
Information: 630-474-3002; Emagine-Entertainment.com/Dementia-Friendly/
