Representatives from Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital had the opportunity to learn first-hand how it might feel to live with dementia, when they took part in a Virtual Dementia Tour at Great Oaks care home, part of Encore Care Homes.
Encore is the first care group in Dorset to offer this fully-immersive experience to care and health professionals, providing people with an inside look into what it might be like and how it might feel to live with dementia. Training is also offered on the best ways to support someone with the condition.
The tour uses specially designed clothing and equipment to replicate some of the symptoms of mid-range dementia, so participant’s vision and hearing is affected. It is run by Training 2 Care and is owned by the non-profit company Second Wind Dreams. The tour is medically and scientifically proven to be the closest way a healthy brain is able to experience the effects of dementia.
Team members from Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital, Donald Tata, Marion Milne and Yolanda Miguel-Adel, all recently took part in the tour and felt that they learnt invaluable information. Louise Dennington, Matron at Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital, said: “This was a truly amazing experience for my colleagues to be part of. The feedback I have received from the team is that it really helped to give them a better understanding of how someone living with dementia might feel on a daily basis. The team now feel better equipped to communicate with those living with the condition.
“It’s wonderful that Encore is offering this resource to healthcare professionals across the county. By learning the key skills required to better care for people living with dementia, it will help to change people’s perceptions. Everyone will be applying what they’ve learnt from the training in their roles at the hospital.”
Ian MacDonald, home manager of Great Oaks, added: “It was a pleasure to welcome members of the Nuffield Health Bournemouth team to Great Oaks. There is much confusion as to what dementia really is, so it’s our hope that the virtual tour will give a helpful insight into the condition.
“We want to educate as many members of the community, health professionals and businesses as possible with this revolutionary training, and hope that it will change the lives of those living with dementia, as well as their loved ones.”
If you are interested in future Virtual Dementia Tour sessions please call 01202 476960 or visit www.greatoaksbournemouth.co.uk for more information.