Southern Manor to host virtual dementia tour
By Staff
Kim West
The Southern Rural Health Care and the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments have partnered to sponsor to bring a virtual dementia tour to Franklin County during National Assisted Living Week
The free tour will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10 at Southern Manor on 715 Lawrence St. in Russellville.
The purpose of the tour is to allow people to better understand the effects of dementia, a brain dysfunction that can cause memory impairment and slows comprehension skills.
"This is something new for us that we're actually hosting in conjunction with NACOLG's aging department," said Kathy Hall, a representative for Southern Manor. "The virtual dementia tour is a tool they have that helps people who may get frustrated with dealing with an elderly parent or someone who has dementia."
Hall said dementia affects people's memory, especially in the later stages in life. Symptoms can also include mood changes, personality changes, disorientation and difficulty with money and math.
"Most people who are elderly have some form of dementia," Hall said. "It's not necessarily a life-altering disorder such as Alzheimer's disease. Some people experience the beginning stage of forgetfulness, which is the aging part of memory impairment, and they might have problems following instructions clearly.
"We're trying to help people who may get frustrated with dealing with an elderly parent or someone who has dementia."
The brief tour includes a pre-test and post-test and participants will wear glasses for simulation purposes.
"The people will wear glasses to give the feeling of having dementia," Hall said. "The tour takes about 30 minutes and includes a questionnaire about what you think dementia means.
Hall said the tour is open to the public and hopes to attract caregivers.
"We ask that people call ahead to set up a time to take the tour so they don't have to wait," Hall said. "Our employees will be taking this tour, and we're hoping to attract other caregivers, nurses, physicians because we think this will help them work better with people in the community with dementia.
"This is just something we wanted to do for the public, and we always welcome guests and visitors."
To make a tour appointment, contact Southern Manor director Tammy Trapp at 332-0038.
