Dementia bus helps change lives

Staff and volunteers have greatly benefitted from a visit by the dementia bus to Sevenoaks Hospital. The virtual tour was funded by the League of Friends to enable people with a healthy brain to experience what this illness might be like.

Grahame Hardy Specialist Nurse for Dementia at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust said: “The experience is changing the understanding of so many supporting people with dementia.

“Sometimes in life we get the opportunity to really change lives and the Virtual Dementia Tour provides the ability to change not only the lives of the people in our care but also our staff by walking in the shoes of a person with dementia.”

Delegates boarded the bus followed by a de-brief session and  the chance to ask questions to the trainer. The day was a great success and there were many comments about the impact it had. Staff felt it has raised their insight and awareness of dementia. 

 “It was lovely seeing so many volunteers attend this Training Event. Thank you for arranging this. Once again, thank you for supporting and financing this extremely worthwhile Training and unique experience which will remain with the participants for a long time"

League President Roger Hope said he found the experience on of the dementia bus eptember 28, 2021"very thought provoking".  He explained: “Although it was emphasised it was only a best guess of how dementia sufferers actually experience the world, the basic messages were well made - the need for patience/repetition and acceptance of their behaviour as normal.

Chairman Ian Philip said: “The day was in many ways a realistic and shocking demonstration of what people with serious dementia face. It highlighted the need for those dealing with people with dementia to understand what they are up against in order to be able to interact with them constructively. The trainer explained things very clearly. “