DEMENTIA EXPERIENCE SHOWS DEMENTIA IS MORE THAN MEMORY LOSS 

Freedom Home Care and Laurel’s Peak Rehabilitation Center ask community members to join them for a unique experience that will change the way they view Dementia.

The Dementia Experience aims to educate people that Dementia is about much more than memory loss.   The experience includes a Virtual Dementia Tour and a Dementia Friends Presentation.

2019 Dates

January 15

April 9

July 9

October 15

Virtual Dementia Tours – 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Dementia Friends Presentation – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Virtual Dementia Tours – 7 to 7:30 p.m.

Participants need to register in advance to ensure a space in the Virtual Dementia Tour. Individual tours last 15 minutes.

The Virtual Dementia Tour is an evidence based, scientific approach that helps people build a better understanding of dementia. During a Virtual Dementia Tour experience, trained facilitators guide participants outfitted with patented devices that alter their senses while they try to complete common everyday tasks and exercises. The Tour enables caregivers to experience for themselves the physical and mental challenges those with dementia face, and use the experience to provide better person-centered care.

“The facts about dementia are staggering,” said participants JoAnn and Terry Alfson. “The dementia tour helped us to experience the reality of having dementia first hand. We experienced a change in our perspective and expectations, we learned what we are really powerless over and opened our hearts to more compassion. It was a huge eye opener to the reality of dementia. We are grateful for the opportunity of the experience.”

The second part of the Dementia experience is a one-hour Dementia Friends presentation by Christine Nessler, co-owner and Community Outreach Manager for Freedom Home Care. Nessler is a Dementia Friend Champion through Dementia Friends Minnesota, an ACT on Alzheimer’s Initiative and has been doing these presentations since 2014. Dementia Friends was developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom as a way to change the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. The Dementia Friends Initiative is now underway in Minnesota. The goal of the Dementia Friends Session is to help community members understand dementia and the small things they can do to make a difference for people living with dementia.

“As a result of the training, I hold a deeper respect for people who are experiencing dementia. I have a greater understanding of how I can talk and be with those who have dementia,” said participant Mary Ann Boe.  “Most importantly, I learned that it is one’s intent and loving presence that is most accessible and stays with a person affected by dementia, more than the things that are said.”

Community members should register for this event with Christine Nessler at Freedom Home Care at 507.387.4663 or cnessler@freedomhomecarellc.com. Virtual Dementia Tours will be scheduled in 15 minute time slots from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. and from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Learn more about the Virtual Dementia Tour(http://www.secondwind.org/virtual-dementia-tour/)

Learn more about Laurel’s Peak Rehabilitation Center (link to https://monarchmn.com/laurels-peak-rehabilitation-center/)

To learn more about Freedom Home Care, LLC (www.freedomhomecarellc.com) or call 507.387.HOME (4663).