Vista Park Health & Rehabilitation hosted a Virtual Dementia Tour Training for the City of Douglas Fire Department on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019 through Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019.
The firemen that participated felt it was an enlightening experience and will be beneficial to them in the future when they may have to assist a person with dementia while working their shift.
In June of 2016, the Georgia Department of Community Health announced that Second Wind Dreams (SWD), Inc. was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to use Civil Money Penalty funding (CMP) in Georgia skilled nursing homes. The three-year project brings the patented Virtual Dementia Tour training to nursing homes to help staff better identify with dementia residents and improve care. The Virtual Dementia Tour has been scientifically-proven to build a greater understanding of dementia through the use of sensory tools and instructions. As part of the program, participating nursing home also receive training on the Dementia Aware Competency Evaluation to assess person-centered caregiver outcomes.
Vista Park Health & Rehabilitation is excited to continue utilizing the program within our nursing home to train new and existing staff and families. The Virtual Dementia Tour offers hope to people with dementia and their care partners by providing practical ways to create an environment that supports the disease and increases understanding.