Marling Court Care Home in Hampton hosted a very successful Dementia Awareness Day on Thursday 7th February. The aim of the day was to give people a better understanding of how Dementia affects people living with it and it was well attended by over 40 people from the local community. Attendees included staff from local businesses, families caring for people living with dementia, health care professionals and charity workers, who all agreed it had provided a valuable insight into the effects of the disease.
Key to understanding this was the opportunity to join a ‘Virtual Dementia Tour’. Led by Training2care, the Virtual Dementia Tour was invented 20 years ago in America by world renowned professional PK Beville, who created the experience as part of her research into dementia. Each participant was fully immersed in an experience that was the closest that we can give a person with a healthy brain to what dementia might be like. ‘It was not what I was expecting at all, a real eye opener’ commented Beverley Edmonds, one participant. ‘It was scary at first and that helps you give you a whole new perspective of Dementia and how it changes a persons understanding, especially on basic things we take for granted every day’ The tour involved the use of props and lighting to distort the senses, which allowed people to understand how difficult living with dementia can make even the most simple of day to day tasks.
During the Dementia Awareness Day visitors to the care home also tried out a 'Magic Table' Tovartafel, an innovative activity designed to stimulate people living with dementia. The ‘Magic Table’ works by projecting games and images on to a table, which can then be interacted with through touch. The table has been in Marling Court for the last 2 weeks and has proved a real hit with residents, who have benefited from the physical, cognitive and social benefits of its use each day.
Gloria George, Manager of Marling Court, commented on the event ‘Today has been a real success, both for our staff and the local community. Dementia is a scary and confusing disease, which not only affects those living with it but the people around them. We wanted to make it a little easier for people to understand this and how they can help anyone who is living with the condition.’
Marling Court Care Home hold regular events, aimed to better the development of their staff and help their 37 residents lead happy and independent lives within the Home.
For more information about Marling Court in Hampton, to discuss your care needs or to visit the home please get in touch 020 8783 0157.
