Through Their Eyes: Virtual Tour Offers a Window Into the World of Dementia

Few illnesses are as mystifying and frustrating as dementia. Watching a loved one slip into what seems to be a bizarre fog of forgetfulness and confusion is heartbreaking to family members, who often serve as caregivers. Having helped care for my mother before she entered memory care, I often wondered what she was experiencing. Arguments were pointless. Logic was no help. She was in a place where we felt helpless to reach her.

Researchers working with dementia patients, their families, caregivers, and first responders are developing programs to help them better understand how people with dementia experience the world. On June 19 at 2 p.m., Moon Lake Library will host a Virtual Dementia Tour with Linda Bledsoe, a licensed trainer with Second Wind Dreams, an organization whose aim is to change how people think about the aging process, including dementia.

According to Second Wind Dreams, “The Virtual Dementia Tour, created by P.K. Beville, is a scientifically proven method of building a greater understanding of dementia through the use of patented sensory tools and instruction. Proceeds from the sale of the Virtual Dementia Tour support the work of Second Wind Dreams, an internationally known nonprofit dedicated to changing the perception of aging through the fulfillment of elders’ dreams.”

Second Wind Dreams has worked with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Google, Facebook, Wellstar, Johnson & Johnson, and WebMD using research-based practices to help improve care.

The program on June 19 is open to the public, with a focus on caregivers, families, and first responders. The trainer will set up conditions designed to temporarily shift participants’ perceptions of the world around them to approximate the experience of a dementia patient.

Sessions will take place over a period of two hours, with participants signing up for a time slot for the tour, followed by a debriefing. If you would like to sign up to experience the Virtual Dementia Tour, please call the library at 256-634-2127 or email books@moonlakelibrary.org to reserve a time slot.