Derry health workers receive ‘virtual’ dementia training

Health staff in Derry have taken part in an innovative new training programme aimed at allowing them to understand what people dementia experience every day.

180 Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) staff began the Virtual Dementia Training on Monday, which is being hosted at both the Waterside Hospital and Seymour Gardens Residential Home.

The aim of the training is to act as ‘a window into their world’ of people with dementia, and gain first-hand experience of the physical challenges and sensory loss that can deteriorate when living with the disease.

To achieve this, the staff were provided with headphones, glasses, shoe insoles and gloves to limit the sensory input people with dementia experience.

Those taking part were then placed into a darkened room whilst talking and movement continued around them, in order to provide participants with an insight into how to approach and interact with those living with dementia.

It was also aimed at giving staff a greater understanding of why people with dementia sometimes exhibit particular and potentially upsetting behaviours.

Commenting, Dr Bob Brown, Director of Primary Care and Older People at the Western Trust said that the training would help ‘enhance’ the care they provide for patients with dementia.

“We were delighted to be able to offer this Virtual Dementia Training to our staff,” he said.

“It is a way of helping staff to experience at first hand the physical and mental challenges facing those with dementia.

Dr Brown continued: “It helps staff understand what people with dementia experience every day and will ultimately further enhance the quality of care we provide for people living with dementia and their carers.”

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Maolíosa McHugh added: “The Council is very supportive of the work the Trust is doing in relation to providing training to its staff that will assist them in gaining a better understanding of the issues facing those with dementia.

“This type of training is a really positive step towards creating better awareness of dementia and giving people the tools to deal with it in their day to day work.”

SOURCE: derrynow.com, Alan Healy