Dementia simulation experience hosted at Heritage Woods

AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) – About 7 million people suffer from dementia in the United States. Despite how common it may be, it’s still a challenge for many people to understand what it’s like to live with the disease.

Heritage Woods hosted a realistic dementia simulation experience on Wednesday, exposing the obstacles dementia patients face every day.

“I thought dementia was like you just don’t remember anything, but I never realized how much it affects people and their senses,” says Jada Kelley of Belchertown. Dementia refers to more than memory loss, it includes the loss of language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities.

Memory Care Program Director Stephanie Schellenger told 22News, “It affects your entire body usually starting with a memory and that’s what people see the most, but it can affect their swallowing their hearing their mobility.” People with dementia experience a progressive decline in their ability to accomplish basic activities.

This experience uses sensory modifications to engage people in typical daily activities with a twist. From having your vision obstructed to having your hearing impaired. In an effort to mimic the ways dementia can affect your ability to perform tasks.

“We had beads in our shoes so not only are you dealing with dementia, but somebody might also be dealing with having a disability or they’re dealing with pain at the same time which just magnifies the difficulty of doing things,” Kelley adds.

Some of them experienced that same frustration when it came to activities with complex movements like getting dressed or even sorting medicine.

Kira Kelley of Belchertown told 22News, “You can’t do things you used to be able to do that probably puts you on the edge of frustration because every day is essentially just a challenge to do things that you normally would not consider a challenge.”

For those who have a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s, there is a 24-hour hotline that provides counselors as well as programs and services to help out, 800-272-3900.

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Melissa Torres is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since 2021. Follow Melissa on X @melissatorrestv and view her bio to see more of her work.

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