What Is a Virtual Dementia Tour?: Three Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
The Caregiver's JourneyShow Notes
“I don’t think any of us should be trying to assist a person with dementia without first walking in their shoes.” — PK Beville, Ph.D.
Have you ever wondered what it actually feels like to live with dementia? Do you find yourself struggling to understand why your loved one behaves the way they do, wishing you could see the world through their eyes- even for a moment? There’s a powerful tool that can help you do exactly this.
We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we know how much empathy and understanding matter in day-to-day care. We’re sharing insights today from PK Beville, Ph.D., founder of the global nonprofit Second Wind Dreams® and inventor of the Virtual Dementia Tour, a simulation experience that has changed how nearly five million people worldwide understand and care for people living with dementia.
If you’re following along with the Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap, this is part of Step Seven — educating yourself. You can find the full roadmap as an interactive page on our website at thecaregiversjourney.org. Steps one through six help you build your foundation right after a diagnosis. Steps seven through ten are about deepening your understanding, and the Virtual Dementia Tour is one of the essential resources we recommend in this phase.
Let’s explore three essential tips — from understanding what the Virtual Dementia Tour is, to applying what you learn at home, to finding one near you.
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Full Show Notes
Additional Resources Mentioned
Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney Second Wind Dreams: https://secondwind.org/ The Caregiver’s Journey Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap: https://roadmap.thecaregiversjourney.org/ Available as an interactive page on our website that walks you through the three stages of your dementia family caregiver journey. Includes the option to download the guide for free.
Takeaways
We shared 3 tips:
Learn what happens in a Virtual Dementia Tour Apply what you learn at home Find a virtual dementia tour near you
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More from The Caregiver's Journey
When someone gets a diagnosis of dementia, there are two people who need to be cared for: the person living with dementia and you, the primary caregiver.” Nancy Treaster
Do you leave your loved one’s doctor’s appointments feeling intimidated or confused instead of empowered? Do you wish you had a clearer role in shaping their care? Many caregivers feel this way, and there is a better way to approach these visits.
Did your loved one recently receive a diagnosis of dementia? Have you already worked through the first six steps of the Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap? If so, you’ve built a solid foundation, and it’s time to keep going.
“There’s no perfect option out there, and there’s no community that’s going to check every single box.” — Kelly Graffius
"Two words have been the foundation of every decision I made across all of my caregiving roles — safe and happy. Before every choice, I would ask, does this help my loved one be safe? And does this support them being happy?" — Sue Ryan