The Not For Profit has secured the exclusive Australian rights to the Virtual Dementia Tour®, which allows staff and carers to experience the physical and mental reality of dementia.
The VDT is scientifically proven to increase sensitivity toward those with dementia and runs for between 20 and 30 minutes.
Created by US geriatric specialist P.K. Beville, the Tour is fully mobile and will be provided to all staff at Churches of Christ Care’s villages, aged care services and community services, before being made available later to other providers and carers.
You can register your interest in taking part in a Tour here or email vdt@cofcqld.com.au.
The Tour® uses patented sensory tools and instructions based on research by Ms Beville and has already been used in 20 countries.
“During a Virtual Dementia Tour experience, participants meet with certified trainers who guide them through the tour and outfit them with patented components that alter their senses,” Ms Beville said.
“Tasks and exercises that are part of the tour enable careers and professionals to experience for themselves the physical and mental challenges facing those with dementia.”
According to Alzheimer’s Australia, there are over 413,106 Australians living with dementia – that’s around 244 new cases each day.
Information on the Virtual Dementia Tour can be found here.
