A caring team from Wixams invited the community to step on board a specialist Dementia Bus to gain a deeper understanding of what life can feel like for people living with dementia.
The Elstow Manor Care Home organised the immersive training experience as part of Dementia Action Week. It was designed to simulate the physical and emotional challenges often faced by those with dementia.
The bus is a specially adapted mobile training environment equipped with sensory tools, altered lighting, distorted sound effects and visual impairments to recreate some of the confusion, anxiety and disorientation people with dementia may experience in everyday situations.
Participants complete simple tasks while wearing specialist equipment that affects their vision, hearing and movement, helping them better understand how dementia can impact confidence, communication and independence.
Care home Customer Relations Manager Valerie Foley said: “Every day we work with people living with dementia, but it can still be difficult for us to truly understand what life may feel like from their perspective.
“The Dementia Bus is kitted out with a range of specialist tools. It was an incredibly powerful experience for our team, and it has helped us think even more carefully about the way we communicate, support and care for our residents.
“Everyone from the community who attended said it was helpful yet frightening experience and helped them understand more about living with dementia.”