DOTHAN, AL (WDNews) Flowers Hospital became just the third hospital in the state to be designated as dementia-friendly this week after hosting a first-of-its-kind dementia-friendly training session.
The PANDA Project project and the Dementia Friendly Alabama grant collaborated to create the program, which is being given by Debra Hodgett, Education Specialist for the Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA). Its objective is to assist healthcare providers in identifying, interacting with, and providing better care for patients suffering with dementia.
According to Hodgett, this training aids hospital and medical staff in comprehending what it’s like to live with dementia. For these people, navigating the healthcare system is the largest obstacle.
Our goal is to elevate empathy and enhance the patient experience in general.
An important milestone has been reached with Flowers Hospital’s designation as a dementia-friendly institution. According to Hodgett, the collaboration is essential since dementia care encompasses everyone a patient may come into contact with, including security personnel and transportation personnel.
SARCOA’s new virtual reality experience is one of the most potent technologies that was presented throughout the training. Wearing headsets, participants are submerged in a live simulation as seen through the eyes of a person suffering from dementia.
Participants are placed in the shoes of Harry, a retired veterinarian with Alzheimer’s disease, by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Employees were able to enter Harry’s world and comprehend the motivations behind the actions of those suffering from dementia.
According to Hodgett, it helps you understand the sights, noises, and confusion someone might encounter. It gives our trainees a completely different perspective.
Additionally, SARCOA provides assistance to caregivers, whether they are professionals or members of the family. Hodgett urged anyone taking care of a loved one suffering with dementia to seek services and support.
She stated, “We don’t want to be the best-kept secret.” We have programs in place to help caregivers and people in the early stages of dementia. You can reach us via phone, email, or in person.
The training includes a presentation, video analysis, and take-home materials from SARCOA and the National Institute on Aging in addition to the virtual reality experience. The employees of Flowers Hospital were commended for their involvement, curiosity, and sharing of personal experiences and questions.
Hodgett expressed gratitude to Flowers Hospital for their dedication to this cause. The fact that their employees scheduled this training shows how much they value it.
Go to www.sarcoa.org or give (334) 793-6843 a call for additional resources or information about dementia care and support.
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