A simulation of dementia
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MARQUETTE -- The virtual dementia tour Brookridge Heights Assisted Living and Memory Support offers is an eye-opening experience that puts participants in the shoes of those living with dementia.
"This is just a really good experience to have a tool as to how to communicate with a loved one," Executive Director Jennifer Huetter said.
About a dozen people tried out the simulator on Monday. Participants were employees from various senior centers, local hospice businesses and caregivers. According to Huetter, past participants include elder law attorneys, those working in financial institutions who may deal with seniors with memory loss, hospital and medical personnel, and just regular people who know someone with dementia and want to understand it better.
Tour participants first had to put on the necessary gear to simulate having dementia. This included putting on glasses that completely blurred and blocked out vision, simulating macular degeneration; putting on headphones that played various noise at randomly changing volumes; putting on gloves with tiny nubs on them; and inserting plastic insoles to their shoes that have little spikes on them. None of it was very comfortable, but that was the point.
Participants were then led into a bedroom and given a list of everyday tasks to complete. For many, it was nearly impossible to remember all the tasks due to being so disoriented from the headphone noise and the blurred vision. The gloves made it difficult to pick things up, and participants were reminded of the pain of the shoe insoles every time they took a step. Many struggled to complete one task, let alone the whole list.
Afterward, participants said they felt frustrated and confused trying to complete the tasks. These normal, everyday tasks weren't so simple anymore. It made them think about how befuddled the whole experience made them feel, and then in turn how someone they know with dementia may feel daily.
"That's what this virtual dementia tour is designed to do, is to help with the communication tactics," Huetter said. "Slowing down, taking your time, being patient, those are really key factors to working with someone who has dementia, and if you do those things, it can be a very successful engagement."
Brookridge has been offering this tour to the public at no cost for over 10 years. It wants to educate the public about dementia, and give participants a real look at the struggle of having it.
"When we do the virtual dementia tour, there isn't a sales pitch. That's not the point. The point for us is to help educate about dementia, open up our eyes and help have more successful relationships with the loved one," Huetter said.
Brookridge is located at 1901 Division St. in Marquette. For more information, call 906-225-4488, or visit www.brookridge-heights.com. It also has a Facebook page that is updated frequently.