Cancer care staff raising awareness of dementia
Beatson staff are helping spread the word about what it’s like living with dementia.
The aim of Dementia Awareness week, which runs until June 9, is to encourage people and organisations to help in raising awareness of the disease and the impact it has on people and those around them.
Staff at the cancer centre wore dementia simulation suits and went on a walk around the building.
The dementia simulation suit helps to simulate ageing and impairs the movement of those wearing it, mirroring some of the typical difficulties that people experience in older age.
It shows the wearer how tiring it is not to be able to move fully, stopping you being able to freely move your joints, making it difficult to feel and move your hands and fingers and grip things.
Nicky Donnelly, cancer clinical educator said: “Our experience of wearing the suit was quite revealing as you truly appreciate the cognitive changes that people with dementia experience; it really highlights the impact on people with this condition that without the suit you wouldn’t be able to understand.
“The wider staff enjoyed the experience of seeing us in the suits.
“They were very engaged in asking vital questions of the Care of the Older Person Nurse who has been instrumental in raising awareness of the issues people with dementia face.”