Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to attend a Virtual Dementia Experience [1] arranged by The College of Human and Health Sciences.
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| The Dementia Experience - https://www.training2care.co.uk/c/images/33/0292510001486398319.jpg |
I have to admit, I originally signed up for it because I though it would be an immersive Virtual Reality environment using a headset like a Microsoft Hololens. I was a little surprised when I found out that there were no computers involved! Instead, I was given a lesson on how effectively the learning experience can be enhanced with comparatively "low tech" ingenuity.
In order to help us try to understand what it is like to live with dementia, the experience was focused around sensory deprivation. Inserts in my shoes made my feed ache, gloves decreased my manual dexterity, glasses restricted my field of vision, darkness and flashing lights caused disoriented and a headset provide a constant stream of distracting and alarming noise.
During the experience, I was asked to perform everyday tasks such as buttoning a shirt or sifting through some washing. The more I tried to do them, the more frustrating they became. By the end of the 20 minute session, I was confused and exhausted. It was a truly remarkable experience which has given me an increased empathy for dementia sufferers, their families and their carers. It was incredibly thought provoking and I can see how it will certainly contribute to the Dementia Tour's goals of "changing practice, reducing issues and improving lives".
If we could develop programmes across the University which provoke similar levels of empathy, engagement and inquiry, I think our learning and teaching would be enhanced greatly.
[1] https://www.training2care.co.uk/virtual-dementia-tour.htm
