HIGHLIGHTING the daily battles faced by those living with dementia was the focus of an awareness day at a Dalton care home.
On Friday, staff from Staveley House were put through an immersive simulation of what it is like to live with the condition.
Dementia is a condition which takes a heavy toll not just on those living with it, but on the people who care for them at home, or in care accommodation.
In essence, the residential home, which is managed by Abbeyfield Furness Extra Care Society, wanted to let their staff walk a mile in another's shoes.
David Stewart, volunteer chairman of the society, said: "We're having some training from an organisation that provides dementia experiences. I'm told that it is unique and will provide a simulation of how it feels to be suffering with dementia."
One of the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's is mood swings. Due to the nature of the disease, communication between the carer and patient can be difficult, making it hard to understand what is causing the shift in mood.
Mr Stewart continued: "It will help our staff appreciate how people with dementia act the way they do."
After becoming aware of the demonstration, management at the house thought bringing it to south Cumbria would be beneficial for their staff.
Gaining greater awareness of what dementia patients go through was seen as a way of getting ahead of the curve.
Janet Watkinson, manager at Staveley House, said: "It's a way of moving forwards. Dementia is coming to the forefront of people's minds and people are getting it at a younger age. We thought it was a good idea for our staff to experience."
Staff at the home, whether they are clinical or clerical, will be offered the chance to go in the simulator.
For eight minutes they will go through a visual, audio and participatory experience of what daily life is like for patients.
Learning about how facial gestures and body language can impact someone with dementia could go a long way to improving the wellbeing of patients and their carers.
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