Virtual Dementia Tour

This week Juniper Village at Brookline held its Virtual Dementia Tour and Create Your Playlist event as part of the Alive Inside/MUSIC & MEMORY movement. The Second Wind Dreams “Virtual Dementia Tour” (VDT) is a sensory experience that simulates a variety of dementia symptoms, providing participants with a unique opportunity to comprehend and empathize with what it must be like to experience this brain disease. By building a more accurate perception of one’s behaviors, the VDT enables a better understanding of the needs of those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. A wide range of participants took part in the VDT, each expressing how powerful the exercise was. “I always thought that I was patient and spoke slowly and clearly with our residents,” said one caregiver, adding “Now I’ll slow myself down even more. I will be more patient and aware of their needs.” Many area professionals were so enthusiastic about the activity, that they requested it as training for their own staff and colleagues.

MUSIC & MEMORY tells us that personalized music helps those with dementia—and a wide range of cognitive and physical challenges—“find renewed meaning and connection in their lives through the gift of personalized music.” That’s why, before their tours began, the 18 participants in attendance had individualized consultations and started their very own personalized iPod music playlists for their loved ones. You can learn more about MUSIC & MEMORY and how you can get involved at http://www.junipercommunities.com/MusicMemory/.