“Yeah . . . Yeah”: Imagistic Signatures and Responsive Events in a Danish Dementia Ward

Birgit, Ellen, and I are sitting at the big table in the living room of a dementia ward in the suburb of a mid-size Danish city. We are drinking coffee. Next to Birgit’s cup and plate is an orange napkin on which she has placed a bright pink hair band. Ellen is sitting next to her. She looks at the band and says: Shouldn’t this be in your hair? No, says Birgit and keeps eating her sandwich. Ellen says that she is quite sure that this band is for putting in one’s hair. Not once but several times. She does not give up. Birgit first tries to keep eating her sandwich but then, slowly and decisively, she moves her index finger around the edges of the napkin. Four times—without look-ing at Ellen. Ellen then lets her eat in peace.