Two Barrhead care homes have been offering virtual reality (VR) sessions to staff and the families of residents to simulate how everyday experiences are for someone living with dementia.

The initiative, called ‘A walk through dementia’, depicts situations such as going shopping, walking home and making a cup of tea.

It has given those with loved ones living at Millview, in Carlibar Road, and Norwood, in Victoria Road, an insight into how it feels to have an impaired ability that makes it difficult to remember, think or make decisions.

Barrhead News:

Paul Lawson, customer relations manager at Advinia Healthcare, which runs the care homes, told the Barrhead News: “The VR content presents a fantastic opportunity to anyone who has a friend or family member who is living with dementia as it lets them experience those feelings of being confused and disorientated.

“I’m sure it will inspire people to be more understanding, patient and tolerant.

“At Advinia Healthcare we are looking at ways to include this into our staff training programme, as it is very worthwhile and we would thoroughly recommend it.”

Barrhead News:

Lynne Dawson, project manager at the Barrhead Foundry, has been visiting the care homes to give people an opportunity to try the headsets, which has led to some interesting feedback.

She said: "It was a great experience being able to meet family members of residents and having the opportunity to learn their individual stories about dementia and hear about their loved ones.

“The content was developed by Alzheimer’s Research UK, guided by people living with different forms of dementia.

“They were all keen to help you understand what everyday life can be like for them.”