Everyone who did the session found the training beneficial and hopefully all learnt something that they can take away from the training. By experiencing aspects of someone else’s journey, we gain a better understanding of, and empathy for, their struggles with dementia.
“Students that experience the virtual reality training say it improves their empathy and increases enthusiasm for working with clients with dementia. It also increasing interest in health care careers among the students.” Abbeygail Folland, Training Manager
One element of the experience involves being given five tasks, from simple daily tasks such as folding washing or finding an item – out of everyone who took park no one heard all five tasks, hearing the task was difficult and focusing on these tasks they found hard.
Simple communication changes can help keep communication short, simple, clear and slow.
We found that keeping sentences short with not too many tasks helpful if you approach and speak to the client on their dominant side – if they are left-handed approach from the left. Give one direction or ask one question at a time.
Avoid becoming frustrated by empathizing and remembering they can’t help their condition. Making them feel safe rather than stressed will make communication easier. Take a short break if you feel your fuse getting short.
Having a general daily routine in Alzheimer’s and dementia care can help care giving run smoothly.
They can give a sense of consistency, which is beneficial to the client even if they can’t communicate it. Try to keep consistent daily times for activities such as waking up, mealtimes, bathing, dressing, receiving visitors, and bedtime. Keeping these things at the same time and place can help orientate the person with dementia.
Do what everyone appreciates smile and make eye contact.
Here are some of the comments we received from the training:
The dementia training was an eye opener, seeing from the perspective of the person who has dementia is interesting to see what they go through on a daily basis. I would highly recommend to anyone working in care or families who has a family member with dementia to do the course. Care Worker
Brilliant and eye-opening experience. Really made me think about different approaches etc. and how people with dementia actually feel, I learnt a lot today. Care Worker
Fantastic experience, made me think about how I will deal and approach my clients in future. Have learnt so much and very grateful for the chance to have the experience. Care Worker
Great insight into how they feel – made me feel sad. Care Worker
Very good in getting a better appreciation of the condition, gave useful tips on appropriate behaviour. Family Member
Interesting tips, enjoyed the course and found it helpful being with others who have family members with dementia. Family Member
