Virtual Dementia Tour for students

Arkansas Hospice recently facilitated the "Virtual Dementia Tour" for National Park Community College RN students. The NPCC nursing curriculum focuses on aging and includes understanding the influence of the developmental tasks of the elderly in planning nursing care. Stacy Davis, RN, In-patient Hospice Director for Arkansas Hospice, explains that the “Virtual Dementia Tour” consists of a 3 step process. Students are given a pre-test to determine their knowledge/perceptions regarding dementia. The next step is a simulation activity in which students are fitted with physical and sensory altering devices and instructed to complete a series of simple tasks which simulate the physical and mental restraints of Alzheimer's disease, and then, finally, they are given a post-test to determine if their perception of this debilitating disease changed after having completed the activity.

Janice Ivers, RN Program Director, said, “The goal for our students is to increase awareness of what a dementia patient is experiencing which will enhance empathy, patience, and ultimately improve patient care.” Ms. Ivers said she was impressed with the reflective comments made by the students after they had completed the activity and stated, “They got it! Their feelings were right on target!”

Also this month, the National Park Community College Division of Nursing along with The Arkansas Geriatric Education Center, Oaklawn Center on Aging and Hospice Home Care will be hosting a conference titled “Alzheimer’s Disease” on March 27^th, again focusing on the care of our dementia patients. For more information contact the Arkansas Geriatric Education Center.