Home Instead Wetherby: Our Virtual Dementia Bus Experience

At Home Instead Wetherby, we’re deeply committed to understanding the challenges faced by those living with dementia so that we can provide the best possible care for our clients and their families.

Recently, our team members, along with Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs)and other professionals took part in the Virtual Dementia Tour—a truly eye-opening experience that gave us a rare insight into the world of someone living with dementia.

This immersive tour allowed us to experience first-hand the confusion, frustration, and heightened senses that people with dementia face every day.

By stepping into their shoes, we were able to gain a better understanding of how we can improve our care and offer more empathy and support.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, over 850,000 people in the UK are currently living with dementia, and this number is expected to rise in the coming years.

Dementia is not a normal part of ageing, but rather a devastating condition that affects memory, reasoning, and perception. It doesn’t just impact those diagnosed, but also their families, who often struggle to cope with the changes they see in their loved ones.

The Virtual Dementia Tour reminded us all of the complexities of this condition and the importance of empathy, patience, and specialised care in making life more manageable for those affected.

As our team reflected on the experience, one thing became clear: “Everything we saw and heard on the bus is what we manage when caring for our clients,” Nick, a Care Professional explained. “By offering our knowledge, expertise, and kindness, we can make our clients’ daily lives so much better.”

The impact of the Virtual Dementia Tour didn’t stop when the bus left town. Our team members are now working hard to develop a new training programme that will bring these valuable insights to other Care Professionals within Home Instead Wetherby.

The goal is simple: to ensure that every member of our team can offer the same level of compassionate, informed care to our clients living with dementia. We believe that by continuing to deepen our understanding of this condition, we can make a real difference in the lives of those we care for.

click here for more details or to contact Home Instead (Wetherby & North Leeds)