Dementia through a granddaughter’s eyes 

More than 600 people gathered at the Randwick Ritz for the one-off premiere of Nansie, a deeply personal documentary created by sisters Adelaide and Lucinda Miller. 

Told entirely from their perspective, the film offers an intimate and artistic reflection on their emotional journey with their beloved grandmother, Ann “Nansie” Miller, who has been living with dementia for the past five years at our South Coogee home. 

The documentary is not intended to be a clinical portrayal of dementia or aged care.  

Rather, it’s a granddaughter’s lens on love, loss, and connection - shaped by the COVID pandemic and the shifting roles within their family.  

Once the caregiver who brought them to swimming lessons, Nansie is now receiving their care in return. Teaching her to swim for the first time became, for them, a symbol of devotion and a way to connect beyond words. 

Filmed over four years, the documentary explores themes of grief, resilience, and intergenerational love. Through song, dance, and quiet moments of joy, Adelaide and Lucinda share how they chose to show up for their grandmother in a way that felt true to their relationship and experience. 

While the film focuses on their personal journey, Nansie does not attempt to represent the full picture of care that their grandmother has received.  

The sisters’ story is a tribute to their grandmother and a reminder that there is no one way to love or support someone living with dementia. Their hope is that Nansie encourages others to visit someone in care, and to find their own meaningful ways to connect—with music, memories, or simply presence. 

We recognise and thank our South Coogee team for the exceptional care they have provided to Nansie and continue to provide every day, not only to her but to all residents in our care.