Working in collaboration with Training2care and open to all clinical staff, the immersive Dementia Tour Bus Experience is specially designed to replicate the daily struggles faced by those living with dementia through virtual reality and sensory enhancements.
For a brief but impactful eight-minute period, participants are exposed to the realities of the condition, offering a profound insight that cannot be replicated by traditional training methods and helping healthcare professionals to be better equipped to provide compassionate and effective care to patients with dementia.
During the unique training session, participants experience a simulation of the various stages of dementia, including confusion, sensory deprivation, and physical limitations. The tour bus is designed to be a safe and controlled environment, led by experienced facilitators who guide participants through the experience. Following the immersive session, participants are invited to attend a debrief where they openly discuss their experiences with their colleagues, fostering an environment for professional and personal reflection.
Feedback from colleagues at the Trust who have participated in the Dementia Tour Bus Experience so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with many stating that the sessions were both eye-opening and transformative, and invaluable in helping to reveal the complexities many patients face daily.
Whilst the sessions are short, the emotional impact of these discussions has been significant, encouraging staff members to implement positive changes in their practice and patient care.
To date, 131 colleagues have participated in the Dementia Tour Bus Experience, benefiting from a deeper understanding of the condition and the experience of the affected patients.
Building upon this success, the bus is scheduled to return to Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Bassetlaw District General Hospital in the autumn, offering a further 432 DBTH healthcare professionals the opportunity to better understand the challenges faced by those living with dementia and learn how they can improve the quality of life for those in their care.
Julie Wragg, Person Centred Care Practitioner, involved in organising the unique training opportunity said: “We are thrilled to bring the Dementia Tour Bus Experience to DBTH. This fantastic training opportunity provides a unique and immersive perspective into the challenges faced by individuals living with dementia.
“By providing an insight into the reality faced by these individuals, we hope to support colleagues with developing a deeper understanding of the condition, ultimately enhancing the care we provide to our patients.”
DBTH is one of Yorkshire’s leading acute trusts, serving a population of more than 420,000 across South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and the surrounding areas.