I did the "Virtual Dementia Tour" tonight, at Jeff's ALF. That was trippy. Let me see if I can remember the deprivations... You wore weird vision-distorting goggles, headphones playing a cacophony of static and random intrusive noises, prickly things in your shoes, plastic gloves, and then you went into a dim room and were told a list of 5 tasks to complete, such as 1. put on a shirt and button one button, 2. Fill out the medical form, 3. Fold the towels, 4. Set the table, 5. Fill a cup with water and drink it.
Emily -- I also participated in a Virtual Dementia demo last week at an ALF in our town. I thought it was a good way to experience what our loved ones encounter everyday. It seemed to underscore that when there is sensory deprivation even on one level, it affects all the other functions. I have to admit I was a little worried initially since I couldn't remember all the tasks. I thought "Oh no, I hope I'm not developing memory issues". I was relieved to find out that others had the same problem.
....After reading about Emily and Eliane's experiences with the Virtual Dementia Tour, it reminds me of how I tried in vain many times to fathom what was going on in my Dear Helen's mind. ....I would look long and deeply into her eyes, trying to see the world as she was seeing it, and sometimes it woudl seem like I could almost read her mind. But then she would say or do something and in a flash it was gone. ....How could anyone know what goes on in the mind of a dementia patient?... Many times on this site I've read that if you know one person with demwntia, you know one person with dementia. ....To me that means there are no virtual dementia patients because they are all different and the only one who can even come close to knowing what goes on in their minds is their primary caregiver. ....I think some of these armchair psychologists don't have enough to do..... Anyway...Those are my thoughts......I'm stuck with them. ..........GerogieBoy
Yeah, many of us had those or similar questions after undertaking the process...why this ear static? What's with the prickly things in our shoes? etc...
Apparently, there is some pretty well-researched basis into the TYPES of limitations many people with dementia struggle with, even though it obviously can't be precisely duplicated with any sort of device.
Most of us who did it concluded that the more important take-home point is that when you've struggled under trying conditions to remember tasks, to find the things you need, to carry out simple instructions, you come away with an increased appreciation of the need for caregivers to be patient, empathetic and super tolerant.