A specially-designed ageing suit is helping staff at the Royal United Hospital to understand what it's like to live with dementia.
The suit mimics the physical side-effects of dementia which - combined with forgetfulness, confusion and a sense of frustration – can make the world such a challenging place for sufferers.
The suit - which tries to replicate impairments in coordination, strength, dexterity, and sight - is now being used in training at the hospital to tie in with National Dementia Awareness Week.
The suit consists of a padded and weighted upper body protector, weighted leggings, thick gloves, and goggles, and changes the wearer's centre of gravity and walking gait.
RUH manual handling adviser Mary Chapman, who has tried out the suit, said: "My spatial awareness was altered and that made me realise just how important it is when carrying out personal care to let the patient know what we are doing. We need to think about what the dementia patient understands and how they interpret what we are doing and saying to them."
Consultant geriatrician Dr Chris Dyer, who is clinical lead for dementia care, said: "This suit, along with all the work going on at the RUH, supports our ambition to be the best provider of acute hospital care in England for people with dementia."
In the last year, the hospital has recruited new dementia coordinators, launched a seven-day mental health liaison service, and opened a new dementia-friendly ward.
The awareness week, which ends on Saturday, sees a series of events and training initiatives taking place at the hospital.
