A Hextable care home has been offering people the chance to step into the shoes of a dementia patient by inviting them onto an interactive tour bus experience.
The single-decker bus, which Emerson Grange care home invited on site as part of its Dementia Awareness Day on March 6, provides participants with the opportunity to gain a greater understanding about living with dementia.
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The ‘dementia experience’ involves wearing weights on arms and legs, glasses to impair vision, shoes that make walking uncomfortable and a device to inhibit hearing.
During the event, which was also supported by Sevenoaks Area Dementia Friendly Community, participants were also given the opportunity to book a one-hour Dementia Friends training session, which is an Alzheimer’s Society initiative to help people learn more about what it is like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action.
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Speaking at the immersive event, Mayor of Swanley, Cllr Lesley Dyball said: "It was fascinating to experience just a little of what someone with dementia lives with on a daily basis – quite scary to be honest."
General manager of Emerson Grange, Paul Hart added: "“We are delighted that so many residents, their friends, families and members of the local community took up the ‘dementia experience’ opportunity.
"Understanding what it feels like to have a dementia can greatly improve empathy and practical care.
"At Emerson Grange, we aim to provide the very best dementia care but we are always open to new learning and insight to share best care practice."
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