Old Malton Care Staff Experience Living with Dementia During Dementia Action Week
Staff at Manor Park care home in Old Malton, part of Sandstone Care Group, were given a glimpse of life with dementia when the Virtual Dementia Tour Bus visited as part of activities taking place during Dementia Action Week.
The internationally recognised training is designed to help people better understand what it may feel like to live with dementia. Using a scientifically and medically proven approach, the immersive experience gives participants with healthy brains an insight into the sensory and cognitive challenges people with dementia can face every day.
Participants experience altered perception, confusion and sensory changes, helping them better understand how people with dementia may see and interact with the world around them. It also highlights simple but effective changes that can be made to care practices and environments to improve quality of life and wellbeing.
Staff at Manor Park took part in the experience throughout the day and described the training as invaluable in helping them better understand the needs and experiences of residents.
Laura Clegg, Registered Commissioning Manager at Manor Park, said: “The Virtual Dementia Tour Bus gave our team a real insight into some of the challenges people living with dementia can experience every day.
“It was a powerful and emotional experience for many of our staff and helped reinforce the importance of creating calm and supportive environments for the people we care for.
“Dementia training is incredibly important and opportunities like this help our teams continue developing their knowledge and understanding so they can provide the very best support to residents and their families.”
Manor Park provides residential and dementia care in Old Malton and hosted a range of activities throughout Dementia Action Week aimed at raising awareness, supporting residents and engaging with the local community.
The week-long programme was designed to raise awareness, encourage understanding, and celebrate the lives and experiences of people living with dementia, while showcasing the home’s specialist, person-centred approach to care.
It included a Dementia UK ‘Time for a Cuppa’ coffee morning and a dementia care workshop on Tuesday, delivered in partnership with local organisations including Ryedale Sight and the police. A sensory day encouraged residents to explore taste and touch, and a music and movement day featured live entertainment and a visit from a local school for a shared singing session.
