Virtual Dementia Tour Bus Comes To Ipswich

Local home care company, Home Instead Ipswich, Felixstowe and Woodbridge, was delighted to host a mobile, virtual dementia simulator for 80 of their caregivers, friends and family to experience.

The Virtual Dementia Tour bus provides an interactive experience that is medically proven to give a person with a healthy brain an experience of what living with dementia might feel like.

Home Instead caregivers, who provide care to people living with dementia within their own homes, were given the chance to physically experience some of the struggles their clients live with every day.

The bus simulates the effects of the illness through technology which alters the senses, replicating the ways in which those living with dementia see the world and experience daily activities.

Wendy Chard, our community engagement officer at Home Instead Ipswich, Felixstowe and Woodbridge, said: “The virtual experience aims to give our caregivers an experience of what life is like for people living with dementia. Although they have City and Guilds accredited dementia training, the experience helps them to further understand how it feels to live with dementia, making sure we can deliver the best quality of care to our wonderful clients.”

The virtual bus was at Home Instead’s office on Ransomes Industrial Estate on the 19th, 20th and 21st January, and has already started to generate lots of conversation. Sophie, a key player, said: “It was a truly amazing and eye-opening experience. One that made me feel very emotional. This tour has really made me think about the ways in which I can help those living with dementia going forward.”

Joanna said: “We are delighted that we were able to experience The Virtual Dementia Tour. The feedback from our caregivers has been very positive. We would like to thank the Virtual Dementia Tour bus which is managed by Training2Care as UK partners to Second Wind Dreams, and a special thanks to West Suffolk CCG for funding this initiative”

To find out more about Home Instead Ipswich, Felixstowe and Woodbridge’s services ranging from companionship and home help to specialist dementia care, please call 01473 272301/01394 617558 or visit https://www.homeinstead.co.uk/ipswich/.