Dementia

Description

Dementia is a progressive neurocognitive disorder currently affecting 1.1 million Canadians (17). Those affected are either individuals living with the disorder or caregivers. Individuals with dementia suffer from decreasing brain function involving the areas of memory, mood, planning, judgement, language, and attention (18). Dementia is categorized as either primary or secondary. Primary dementia is permanent whereas some types of secondary dementias are reversible. Today you will be simulating two of the most common primary dementias in Canada - Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body disease (1).

Dementia Simulation #1 FAMILY REUNION

Welcome to the Family Reunion! The following simulation demonstrates one of the many daily struggles that an individual with Alzheimer’s disease faces. Alzheimer’s is the most common primary dementia affecting older adults globally (19). There are different parts of the brain that are affected by Alzheimer’s. It is for this reason that there are multiple symptoms associated with this disease, the most common being memory loss. In addition, it is also common for individuals to experience some type of auditory or visual hallucination (1).

In this station, you will be taking on the role of Steve who is 75-years-old. Steve and his wife will be attending their annual family reunion in Blue Mountain, Ontario. During this simulation, you will be asked to match the names to the faces of Steve’s family members while listening to an auditory hallucination track. This will simulate the experience of memory loss with auditory hallucinations. The goal of this simulation is for you to empathize with older adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Materials

A computer
Headphones

Procedure

Put in headphones.
Adjust the volume so that it’s at a tolerable level for you to comfortably listen to the simulation. Ensure that it is at a minimum of 50% in order to sufficiently experience the hallucination track.
Begin playing the video and don’t stop it until you’re ready to reflect on your experience.
When the hallucination track begins playing, you will have one minute to memorize the names of your family members.
After the one minute is up an alarm will play. The names and pictures on the screen will disappear. Do not stop the video.
You will be given a few seconds to locate the embedded activity.
Begin the activity when you hear an alarm sound.
You will have 1 minute and 50 seconds to match the names to the faces.
Another alarm will sound signaling that your time has run out.
After completing the activity, take a couple of minutes to reflect on your experience using the questions provided.

Simulation Video

Duration of simulation - 3 minutes.

Activity

ATTENTION: Some browsers do not support embedded activities. Please use the following link if the embedded activity doesn’t work: https://wordwall.net/resource/10583612/simulation-one-dementia

Reflection Questions

This was an activity showcasing only one of the struggles that an individual with Alzheimer’s disease faces. How would significant memory loss impact your daily life?
How did the auditory hallucination track impact your ability to complete the task? How would the experience of frequent and persistent auditory hallucinations in the real world affect your daily life?
How did it feel stepping into Steve’s shoes and struggling to remember the names of your family members? How do you think this would impact the relationship you have with your family?

Testimonials:

https://www.facebook.com/Hs3701-Aging-Simulation-Lab-103768665092113

OR: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctdJOBwi_bz5pyzZUSLyQ8P2OLrthoqFCNbVQXBIQB7wdurw/viewform

Dementia Simulation #2 VISIT FROM AN OLD FRIEND

Welcome to a Visit from an old Friend! This simulation will showcase the experience of an individual who has dementia with Lewy body disease. Although Lewy body dementia is known for being one of the most common dementias in Canada, it is often mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease (1).Thare different ways that the brain can be impacted by Lewy body dementia, which results in various symptoms. This simulation will be focusing on one of the most recognizable symptoms of Lewy body dementia: hallucinations (20).

In this simulation, you will be taking on the role of Sara, a 72-year-old nursing home resident. During this simulation, you will hear an auditory hallucination track while responding to Ana’s questions. This will simulate the experience of visual and auditory hallucinations. The goal of this simulation is for you to empathize with older adults diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies.