One in three senior adults dies each year due to Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). Alzheimer’s is an incurable brain disease that causes a slow, progressive decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). 

An estimated 5.3 million Americans of all ages live with Alzheimer’s disease and as many as 16 million will have the disease in 2050 (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). The cost of caring for those with dementia is estimated to total $236 billion in 2016, increasing to $1.1 trillion dollars by 2050. Alzheimer’s is the 6^th leading cause of death in the state of Kentucky, with 69,000 adults age 65 and older having been diagnosed. In 2015, 270,000 unpaid caregivers provided a total of 307,000,000 hours worth of unpaid care. 

The Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT) is an evidenced-based dementia simulation that allows families, caregivers, and interested individuals to better understand what it may be like to live with dementia. Using patented tools and instruction, participant experience a temporarily altered sensory system and decline in physical mobility. The experience builds sensitivity and awareness and helps people be better caregivers and interact with the aging population more effectively. Through the VDT, participants can better understand how to be more attentive to daily dementia care needs.

The Boone County Cooperative Extension Service with support from an Extension Specialist from the University of Kentucky and Second Wind Dreams personnel and, following the recommendation of the Family and Consumer Sciences Advisory Committee, offered two sessions of the Virtual Dementia Tour for the general public. One daytime program and one evening program were held with seven family and consumer sciences volunteers assisting with the simulation. Seventy-three (73) adult, male and female participants completed pre-simulation evaluations and took part in the program. Some participants came as family groups to better understand the health issues of their loved ones. Prior to the activity, only 33 (45 percent) participants felt that they understood the emotional needs of those living with Alzheimer’s disease.

A survey form was mailed four months after the completion of the last and eight months after the first virtual experience. Thirty-seven individuals completed and returned the mailed survey form. Of those returning the form, 30 (81 percent) indicated they currently cared for or interacted regularly with individuals with some form of dementia. For 14 (38 percent) participants, the Virtual Dementia Tour was their first time to attend a Boone County Extension-sponsored educational program.  

Program participants shared the following changes they had made in their own behavior or understanding as it relates to interacting with those with dementia: 46 percent removed clutter and throw rugs that were a potential hazard; 97 percent now understand why tasks may not be completed by those with dementia; 84 percent better understand how vision changes may contribute to challenges of those with dementia; 59 percent talked with their family and friends about their needs and challenges as a caregiver; 84 percent have taken steps to improve their own health and well-being with a goal of staying healthy as long as possible. Thirty-three participants shared with they learned during the Virtual Dementia Tour with approximately 150 others. 

As a result of the VDT experience participants shared the following ways in which they were affected:

• Helped see from the perspective of someone with dementia and made me much more aware of how simple tasks can be a challenge to complete correctly.
• Much greater understanding of what they are experiencing. Gives me more patience and understanding.
• Have a lot more compassion and patience with elderly - it makes a difference when you "walk a mile in their shoes."

• Much greater understanding of what they are experiencing. Gives me more patience and understanding.