Dementia Live®
Dementia Live® is a simulated experience of what it could feel like to have dementia. This experience is offered to the public, professional and family caregivers, and can also be requested and tailored to any group such as a church, community service outreach, restaurants, EMT and first responders, hospitals, and more.
The point of the experience is for caregivers to understand what it's like, therefore gaining an increased empathy and understanding of how dementia affects the individual and how better to work with those who have this diagnosis.
During the experience, a series of equipment is used to diminish the sense of touch, diminish peripheral vision by 70%, and add confusing sounds all of which is to create a bit of overwhelm. Participants are told to complete different tasks under the aforementioned conditions.
Afterward, the leader of the experience as well as participants discuss what was most frustrating during the simulation, what was a limiting factor, how it affected participants emotionally, physically, and cognitively. The behaviors participants display is also discussed and connections are made to what those with dementia may experience.
Results of the experience include making changes in the household to make life easier for both the caregiver and individual with dementia as well an an increased understanding and empathy.
