Title : Sharing the findings from a "Virtual Dementia Tour Workshop"
Abstract:
Elim Village is a senior’s community located in Surrey, BC with approximately six hundred and fifty (650) seniors and three hundred (300) staff on site. A workshop was held at Elim Village in late fall of 2018 to provide staff with an opportunity to experience personally challenges persons diagnosed with Dementia face daily. According to the World Health Organization, Dementia affects nearly 50 million individuals worldwide with approximately 10,000 new cases each year. The Virtual Dementia Tour ® (VDT®) is an evidence-based innovative workshop hosted by Second Wind Dreams, Inc. ® and Grier Dementia Training ® to help caregivers learn more about the impacts on persons diagnosed with the disease. One hundred and seventy-seven (177) staff participants attended the one-day workshop. Participants were given various sensory debilitating barriers and were asked to complete a variety of tasks. Prior to the simulation and immediately following, all participants completed a questionnaire. The pre-test and post-test questionnaire results were contrasted against one another, revealing a significant shift in philosophy following the VDT. Several weeks following the workshop, another survey was conducted by Elim with the participants, revealing significant learnings. Overall more than 90% of participants stated they would recommend this training for staff working with older adults; especially older adults diagnosed with Dementia. Education of this nature can enhance one’s ability to connect and communicate better with older adults suffering from Dementia. There is clear evidence this workshop can impact and change the way staff work with and care for Dementia clients.
