We tend to think of dementia mainly in terms of memory loss — but the reality is far richer and more complex. Understanding the condition from the person's point of view changes how we care, and there are now some powerful tools that help.
A Walk Through Dementia
A Walk Through Dementia, from Alzheimer's Research UK, is a virtual-reality experience that uses a smartphone app to put you in the shoes of someone living with dementia. It recreates everyday situations — a trip to the supermarket, being on the road, and life at home — and surfaces symptoms that many people don't expect. On a simple trip to the shops, for example, someone might experience:
- Difficulty reading a shopping list
- Short-term memory loss
- Changes in food preferences and eating habits
- Frustration and anxiety
- Problems with navigation
Training that builds empathy
Alzheimer's Research UK, with Bournemouth University and in partnership with people living with dementia, also created The Lived Experience of Dementia — a virtual-reality training resource that helps care workers understand the lesser-known symptoms of the condition.
At Gardiner's we have invested in a training pack and VR headset, and we have run Virtual Dementia Tours for our staff on several occasions. The tour is the closest a person with a healthy brain can come to experiencing what dementia might feel like — scary, confusing, and a real sense of vulnerability. Our team have found it genuinely eye-opening, describing it as "a wonderful insight" that gives "a better understanding and empathy".
Why it matters
According to the Alzheimer's Society, around 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia — one in 14 people over 65, and one in six over 80. By understanding the condition from the person's point of view, we can change our practice, reduce distress and improve lives.
Get in touch to learn more about how Gardiner's can help you care for a loved one living with dementia.
