Held at the home, the event invited healthcare professionals, staff members, and family relatives to take part in a free immersive experience designed to offer insight into what living with dementia can feel like.
Participants were guided through the Virtual Dementia Tour, which uses sensory-altering equipment to replicate some of the physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges faced by people living with dementia. The experience aims to help those supporting individuals with dementia to better understand the condition and adapt their approach to care with greater empathy and compassion.
The Experience Itself
Participants were individually guided onto the Virtual Dementia Tour bus and taken through a series of sensory challenges designed to replicate some of the difficulties faced by people living with dementia.
Each person placed spiked inserts into their shoes to mimic neurological sensations that can affect balance and movement. They were then given specialist glasses with very limited vision, reflecting the visual-perceptual challenges dementia can cause, such as mistaking shadows or patterns for objects.
Inside the bus, headphones were used to simulate sensory overload, recreating how background noise can feel confusing and overwhelming for someone living with dementia. Participants also wore multiple pairs of gloves, restricting movement and sensation, making simple tasks such as finding items or getting dressed extremely difficult.
Many described the experience as disorientating, with everyday movements feeling unfamiliar and unsettling, offering a powerful insight into the challenges faced by those living with dementia.
The tour provided professionals, relatives, and care staff with a valuable opportunity to reflect on how everyday tasks can become confusing or overwhelming for someone living with dementia, encouraging more thoughtful communication and person-centred care practices.
Kevin, son of Resident at the Home, shared his experience, saying the tour was overwhelming but that he was grateful it had given him a much better understanding of what it can be like for people living with dementia.
Customer Relationship Manager Vanessa also reflected on the importance of the experience, saying: “We all know how dementia numbers are on the rise. The immersive dementia bus takes you through virtual challenges to show what life feels like for the individual, helping to gain a better understanding of this condition. Through different challenges, you feel, hear and see what this is like for someone living with dementia.”
Professionals and staff who attended the event said they found the experience to have a profound impact, helping to deepen their understanding and reinforce the importance of compassionate, person-centred dementia care.
Walberton Place Care Home would like to thank everyone who attended the Virtual Dementia Tour. The home hopes that all invited enjoyed the opportunity to explore the home, meet our residents and see the facilities.
Anyone interested in finding out more about Walberton Place Care home in Arundel, West Sussex or arranging a tour, please contact Customer Relations Manager, Vanessa Mceveny on 01243 551549 or by email at vanessa.mceveney@countrycourtcare.com
