STAFF from Bodmeyrick Residential Home, Deer Park Nursing Home and Deer Park Home Care, all based in Holsworthy, spent two days learning what it was like to suffer from dementia recently.

Dementia is a debilitating disease, affecting people’s memory and ability to carry out normal activities of daily living. Sadly, it is on the increase.

As part of the staff’s ongoing personal development programme, the owner, Janet Orchard, contacted ‘Training 2 Care’s Virtual Tour Dementia Bus’ to come to Holsworthy to train members of staff on dementia.

Over a two-day period, this specially adapted vehicle removed staff’s primary senses, enabling them to enter, for a short time, the world of some of their clients.

Headphones throbbed with loud, random noises, whilst prickly plastic insoles in shoes and thick gloves enabled staff to experience peripheral neuropathy. Modified sunglasses distorted central vision, and the bus’ dark and strobe lit room made seeing almost impossible.

Senior carer, Lynne Greaves, said: “It was really frightening and I couldn’t see or hear.”

Another senior carer, Claire Yelland, stated that the experience had definitely changed her approach to residents, and how important it was to touch them on the arm to help them focus on her before either speaking to them or doing anything for them.

Nurse, Angela Hayes, said she found it a ‘very humbling and emotional experience’ and she was now keen to implement changes.

Mrs Orchard, who also attended one of the sessions, said: “It was one of the most amazing experiences the staff and I have gone through, and staff are now keen to put into practice what they have learned.”