A new immersive training programme at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is helping staff better understand what it feels like to live with dementia.
Funded by NHS Grampian Charity, the innovative dementia simulation kit allows health and care staff to experience first-hand some of the challenges faced by people living with dementia, including confusion, disorientation, communication difficulties, and sensory challenges.
Lyn Pirie, dementia nurse consultant at NHS Grampian, says, “Dementia doesn’t just affect memory, it can also impact how people understand information, communicate, and interact with the world around them. In a busy hospital environment, that can be incredibly overwhelming for patients.
“When we understand that someone may not fully process what we’re saying, or that they may feel frightened or disoriented, it changes how we approach their care. Taking the time to communicate clearly and provide reassurance can make a huge difference to a patient’s experience in hospital.”
NHS Grampian and Health and Social Care Partnership colleagues already have access to a range of national and local dementia learning opportunities. This new approach provides an alternative learning style that supports the organisation to embed learning in practice, through an experiential approach that builds understanding and knowledge on the daily challenges a patient with dementia may face.
Each individual’s dementia journey is unique, and this immersive learning approach can be hugely beneficial in allowing staff to build deeper empathy by experiencing some of the physical, sensory and cognitive impairments that a person with a dementia diagnosis may experience.
Staff take part in a range of practical exercises while wearing specialist equipment, including goggles and gloves that mimic the visual impairments and reduced dexterity experienced by many patients. They are accompanied by audio tracks that simulate the sensory and cognitive effects of dementia.
Participants are asked to complete simple everyday tasks such as getting dressed, writing information down or following instructions – activities which quickly become confusing and frustrating under these conditions.
Marie Grant, practice educator at NHS Grampian, has been working with staff in frailty to deliver the project to an initial group of around 150 staff and students.
“Using the immersive dementia kit adds depth and richness to our education” she says. “When staff put on the equipment and try to complete simple tasks, they quickly realise how challenging and distracting it can be. It helps consolidate their learning from our sessions, and emphasises the points we discuss.
“We’ve taken the training directly to the wards to make it easier for staff to take part, and the feedback has been incredibly positive.
“It gives staff the opportunity to gain valuable insight into the daily struggles and experiences of those living with dementia, and it helps evoke feelings of frustration, disorientation, fear, anger, confusion, and anxiety.
“It’s helping staff to understand why patients might struggle to follow instructions or communicate clearly, and how easily stress and distress can build. This kind of immersive learning really stays with people, and it’s already helping staff feel more confident and better-prepared to support patients with dementia.”
There are currently an estimated 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland, and around 1 in 3 people born in the UK today will develop dementia at some point in their lives. Many of these people will spend time in hospital during their illness, and an acute hospital environment can be overwhelming for them, particularly when communication is difficult or surroundings feel unfamiliar.
Louise Bone, supporter engagement officer at NHS Grampian Charity, says, “Staying in hospital can be a particularly frightening and disorientating experience for people living with dementia. This training is a brilliant example of how we can make that experience kinder and more supportive, not just for patients but for their families too.
“We’re proud to fund this project thanks to the generosity of our supporters. By backing tests of change like this, we can explore new ways of working that improve care and make a real difference to people across Grampian.”
Dementia affects thousands of people and families across Scotland, and small changes can make a big difference to their experience of care.
This Dementia Awareness Week, your support could help us fund more innovative projects that improve comfort, wellbeing, and understanding for people living with dementia and other health conditions. Every donation stays local and helps enhance care for patients across Grampian. Click here to donate today, and help us make a difference.