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Virtual reality experience gives insight into dementia

BBC Catharine and Mike Chalton, franchise owners of Home Instead outside the busBBC
Catharine and Mike Chalton, franchise owners of Home Instead, hope to give people a better understanding of dementia

A virtual reality experience which shows what it is like to live with dementia should give people a "deeper understanding" of the challenges faced, a care provider has said.

The simulation, which takes place on a specially adapted bus, gives participants goggles, headphones and spiky insoles and asks them to perform everyday tasks but with distorted vision, loud noises and sensory overload.

Home Instead, who provide care on Merseyside to those living with the disease, brought the virtual dementia tour to Prenton, in Wirral on Wednesday.

Former England rugby union player, Steve Thompson, MBE, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2020, said the simulation was "amazing".

Home Instead invited its staff and relatives of people with dementia to take part in the experience which offers a scientifically proven way to replicate dementia.

Emma Hewitt, general manager at Home Instead in Wirral, experienced the simulation which she described as "terrifying" but useful so she could understand more about clients living with dementia.

She said: "That really was quite an experience.

"We were asked to do different tasks, mine was to make myself look busy so I started to tidy up but found it very difficult to move things around and see things properly."

Steve Thompson smiling at the camera
Steve Thompson said he has had great support from his family since his diagnosis

Steve Thompson, was diagnosed with early onset dementia at the age of 41, and said initially it was a shock but he, and his family, have learnt to live with the disease.

He advised those who are looking after someone with dementia to let them "have the time to do normal things".

"Don't let them sit in self-pity and use it as an excuse, just because you have got dementia you can still do stuff," he said.

Catharine Chalton, director of Home Instead, said they want people to understand that dementia was not a "death sentence".

She said her mother had the "most awful anxiety about developing dementia" but did not develop it.

"We want our community to understand actually dementia is a diagnosis, it isn't something where we have to shut someone away and be fearful," she added.

The tour is visiting other Home Instead sites across the UK in August.

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