Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT)

Act Now Foundation is certified by Second Wind Dreams to do the Virtual Dementia Tour.

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When someone is diagnosed with dementia, it affects everyone: family, friends, long term care, hospitals, surrounding community. The VDT, used internationally since 2001, helps shed light on some of the seemingly inappropriate and at times difficult behaviors exhibited by those with dementia. Appreciation of the challenges facing those with dementia results in greater understanding. This increased understanding sets the stage for better care.

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Why we need the Virtual Dementia Tour:

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• 7 out of 10 people with dementia live at home where family and friends provide 78% of the care. The VDT creates an understanding that results in more empathetic care.

• 50-70% of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) will exhibit agitated and sometimes violent behavior. The VDT gives a "feel" for why a person may get agitated and what can be done to lessen the likelihood of agitation.

• The National Association of Elder Abuse and Neglect states that the better educated the caregiver is about how to provide good care, the less likely they are to abuse (physical or emotional) or neglect the elder. Over 50% of caregivers admit to being abusive to their AD family member.

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A few of the statements made after the VDT include:

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• "We take too much for granted."

• "I will take more time with the residents."

• "I felt very vulnerable, alone and helpless."

• "I will try harder."

• "At least I knew it would be over soon and I could go back to normal. Our Mother has to live with it every day."

• "I don't know how they do it."