海角社区

LSSU, Hospice, Community Partners Offer Dementia Training

Sep 07, 2017

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. 鈥� In order to help health professionals and caregivers learn more about what it is like to live with dementia, 海角社区 nursing faculty recently presented The Virtual Dementia Tour over two days with Hospice of the EUP staff and others.

Twenty-five staff members from Hospice, the Merlin 海角社区 for dementia care and Hearthside Assisted Living took part in the training, which was called 鈥渓ife-changing鈥� by some.

The VDT is a national program that is a scientifically proven method of building greater understanding of dementia through the use of patented sensory tools and instruction. It was invented by P.K. Beville, an award-winning geriatric specialist and founder of Second Wind Dreams, which helped provide the instruction. SWD is an international, non-profit organization that has been recognized as the first in the nation committed to changing the perception of aging through the fulfillment of dreams for elders.

鈥淧articipants wore special goggles, earphones, gloves and shoe inserts that simulated what someone might experience in relation to aging and cognitive changes, or dementia,鈥� said Sandi King, LSSU nursing professor. 鈥淭hey were led into a dimly lit, residential-type room and asked to perform simple tasks. Afterward, they reflected on their experiences.鈥�

The intensive program allowed friends, family, caregivers and the community to experience first-hand what it might be like for those living with dementia. It also provides a greater understanding of dementia and can shift participants鈥� thinking from fear to action.

In one exercise, participants experienced what are commonly referred to as auditory hallucinations through a simulation. While hearing voices through their headphones, they attempted to carry out a series of tasks to help them understand how life-altering the hallucinations can be for people with severe mental illness disorders.

Similar hands-on simulations allowed participants to experience situations experienced by those living with dementia. All of the exercises were designed to increase caregivers鈥� understanding of people suffering with a neuro-cognitive disorder, help them better understand why they behave the way they do and empathize with them, and find better ways to work with them.

鈥淭he number of people with cognitive impairment is on the rise, with no cure in sight, and it is essential that the day-to-day care of people with dementia is a priority,鈥� said King. 鈥淐aring for those with dementia requires caregivers to be patient, understanding, and supportive.鈥�

Tracey Holt, executive director of Hospice of the EUP, said the training was offered to staff at the Sault鈥檚 new Merlin 海角社区 for residents with dementia, as well as the staff at Hearthside Assisted Living in Sault Ste. Marie.

鈥淭his was a great example of how we can collaborate with community partners to bring training programs to those who need them. It would be impossible to send all of our staff out of town to get this training,鈥� Holt said.

鈥淭he impact on the people who participated in the training was huge,鈥� she added. 鈥淚t was life-changing for some.鈥�

Denise Robertson, a nurse鈥檚 aide at Hearthside Assisted Living, said, 鈥淚t changed the way I look at our residents and changed the way I work with them.鈥�

鈥淚n the first part of the program, we wore earbuds and glasses that altered our vision. The audio in mine first played music and gave us instructions to perform some simple tasks, like counting change, but then it changed and there were voices giving me negative feedback, telling me that I was stupid and couldn鈥檛 do anything right. I couldn鈥檛 do the tasks, and it made me mad, stressed and aggravated.鈥�

Robertson said she wanted to lash out at people around her, much like what can happen with dementia patients who are frustrated.

In another exercise, Robertson said the headphones and goggles made it so she couldn鈥檛 understand at all what she was supposed to be doing, and it helped her experience the isolation that dementia patients experience.

鈥淚 felt so confused, and scared and alone,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a scary feeling, but going through the training made me feel empathy for our residents. It changes the way you think of them鈥�Now, when I approach residents, I鈥檓 totally different. I鈥檒l say, 鈥極h, you look so pretty today,鈥� and things like that to try to build them up and maybe make it so they aren鈥檛 hearing negative things.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 heartbreaking to know people are going through that, and that they can鈥檛 express what鈥檚 going on in their heads,鈥� she added.

鈥淚 think everyone should go through the training鈥�then they can actually see what their loved ones are going through and maybe understand it better,鈥� Robertson said. 鈥淚t was the best program. I鈥檓 glad that I did it.鈥�

鈥淚n 2015, more than 15 million caregivers provided over 18 billion hours of unpaid care to someone with Alzheimer鈥檚 or other dementia,鈥� King said, in explaining the importance of the training for both family caretakers and health care professionals.

Holt said those who took the training at Hospice and Hearthside will meet again in a few months to see if what was learned is being applied and how their care for residents with dementia may be improved.

For more information about Second Wind Dreams^庐 and the Virtual Dementia Tour^庐 visit .

CONTACT: Tracey Holt, Hospice of the EUP, [email protected], 906-259-0222; John Shibley, LSSU Public Relations Office, [email protected], 635-2314