Whether it’s your loved one or a dear friend, whether you are a caregiver or a student hopeful, whether you ever wondered what it must really be like to have the diagnosis of dementia, Residences Senior Living encourages you to participate in this in-person, interactive program brought back by popular demand in March. “Walk with Me” the Virtual Dementia Tour® takes you walking in the shoes of someone with dementia. It will change your entire perspective of what it is like for someone who is undergoing the daily changes affecting his or her senses and capabilities. It will enhance your understanding and relationship with a loved one who is living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
RSVP today for one of the best educational modules Residences Senior Living has used for training team members as well as for families and caregivers throughout Northern Indiana. The program is free of charge and scheduled for Residences at Coffee Creek in Chesterton, 2300 Village Point, 12- 2 p.m. Thursday, March 9 and at Residences at Deer Creek , 401 E. US Highway 30, Schererville 12-2 p.m. Friday, March 10. RSVP for either experience by calling 1- 800-557-9176 or online ResidencesSeniorLiving.com/events. Because each individual walks through the experience alone, an RSVP is required and you will be provided a timeslot to attend.
Second Wind Dreams, an international nonprofit organization, has done much research to create their Virtual Dementia Tour®. The Tour experience is not what we’ve come to think of typically as “virtual.” It’s far from a session you tune in to on your computer or mobile device, as in “virtual meetings”. Quite the opposite! This ”Virtual Tour” is created to be an actual experience, as real as possible. It takes about 20 minutes and is an individual experience—everyone who attends, goes through it as a participant. You won’t be watching someone else, the experience of the struggle of aging and dementia will be yours. From the simplest of tasks we all take for granted, like getting dressed, to the changes in senses that create communication barriers, and so much more, you will have a life-changing experience.
We are all caregivers at Residences Senior Living. As a result of “Walk with Me” our teams have learned better ways to handle situations, especially for our Memory Care residents. “We received a better understanding of the physical and mental challenges faced by those living with dementia. It has helped us understand just what the Tour producers at Second Wind Dreams (https://www.secondwind.org/) said the experience would help us gain—what person-centered care actually entails,” says Kaitlynn Redmon, Executive Director, Residences at Coffee Creek.
Karen Ayresman has served as Executive Director for Residences at Deer Creek for over ten years and insists upon relevant training for her team on a continuous basis. She stresses the difference this particular module also makes for families and friends of those diagnosed with dementia. “We are delighted to extend this invitation to participate to the communities we serve, to learn about the best way to care for the special needs of the aging. I’m in total agreement that making a connection, person by person, makes all the difference. Because you experience the sensations, you are better able to recall what it feels like when someone is going through a confusing time,” she explains. Both Karen and Kaitlynn agree with Second Wind producers that empathy is so essential to helping someone enjoy the highest quality of life possible. Empathy creates understanding. Understanding reduces stress for the person living with dementia as well as for the caregiver and the family. Another key benefit they emphasize is that families who attend the Virtual Dementia Tour® tend to have better visit experiences once they understand why their loved one cannot always respond in the way they would like or expect.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, powered by REAL Services offers the power of support groups close to home.
For those who are just beginning the journey of dementia, as well as for those who have gone through a number of years, Residences Senior Living serves as host sites for support groups for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, powered by REAL Services. Support groups are a great opportunity to share stories and concerns, laughter and tears, find out about resources, and come together on a regular basis to make new friends who are also going through the stress and even joy-filled moments of caregiving.
The Lake County Caregiver Support Group for Alzheimer’s and Dementia meets at 10 a.m. on the 4th Thursdays of the month, at Residences at Deer Creek in Schererville. RSVP by calling (219) 864-0700.
The Porter County Caregiver Support Group meets at 10 a.m. CST on the 4th Tuesdays at Residences at Coffee Creek in Chesterton. AseraCare Hospice is co-host. RSVP by calling (219) 921-5200.