Dementia simulator offers insight into memory robbing disease

A taste of what it’s like to live with Dementia.

We all know it as a memory robbing disease, but it goes beyond that.

Helping staff and loved ones understand that it is a priority at The Lighthouse at Lincoln.

“We’re assisted living, but we specialize in memory care,” said executive director, Lynn Dombroski.

One of the residents, 83-year-old Dolores Audette has lived there for the last 9 months.

Her daughter, Robin Boyle, describes her as a great wife, mom, grandma and great grandma.

“She was a great cook, she had her own business decorating cakes, and unfortunately she doesn’t she doesn’t remember that part of her life,” said Boyle.

For family members that can be frustrating.

“The person with dementia isn’t giving you a hard time. The person with dementia is having a hard time,” said Amber Evans, V.P. of memory care and residential engagement services for LCB Senior Living.

“Oftentimes when we think about dementia, we think about memory loss, we think about changes in cognition.”

But there’s so much more going on, and Boyle decides to take part in A Walk in Their Shoes Dementia simulation.

Loss of dexterity can be one. So Robin puts on special gloves where her fingers are tied together.

Because there can be hearing loss, she puts on special headphones. And special glasses simulate how the world is seen.

“What you’ll see is there’s this yellowing screen that starts and it darkens as time goes on,” said Evans.

Affecting peripheral vision. Popcorn kernels are put in her shoes to mimic nerve pain.

And then a clamp is placed on her nose.

“Somebody with dementia’s often using more oxygen,” explained Evans.

Often breathing through their mouth as panic sets in.

Then the simulation begins as Hannah Valentim, engagement director, rushes her through a series of exercises, which offers an insight into how our frustrations often become theirs.

“Sometimes the behavior is due to an unmet need, and we as caregivers have to find that reason,” said Valentim.

“It made me feel overwhelmed and I think how sometimes I rush her and not being able to hear properly, not be able to see properly. It definitely opened my eyes,” said Boyle.

“It provides a deeper sense of patience, a deeper sense of empathy,” added Evans.

A Walk in Their Shoes Dementia Simulation meets every third Thursday of the month at The Lighthouse at Lincoln from noon until 1 p.m. Please RSVP with the front desk or email Hanna.