Annual conference helps caregivers understand dementia

April 17-- Apr. 17--Caregivers from across the state carefully felt their way across the carpet of a darkened room Tuesday, their vision obscured by glasses and hearing overwhelmed by the sound of loud sirens playing from headphones.

For eight minutes, participants in the Virtual Dementia Tour experienced a brief glimpse of what their family members, friends or patients with dementia go through on a daily basis.

The simulation, organized by staff from Spring Arbor Senior Living in Raleigh, was part of the 16th annual Sanford Dementia Caregiver Symposium.

The symposium is a joint effort between the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina and the Enrichment Center of Lee County. It gives caregivers a chance to come together and learn more about how dementia affects their loved ones.

Dementia describes a variety of diseases that affect brain function, including Alzheimer's disease, according to the Dementia Alliance. Symptoms of dementia are problems with memory, language, impulse control and the ability to do basic tasks.

Vicki Mitchell, 71, said she was glad she decided to attend the event. Her husband, Kenneth, 81, recently started showing signs of dementia.

"I saw this seminar and thought, 'I need this information. I need more information about what's going on,'" Mitchell said. "I can see it progressing, something happening every day that's different."

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On one day, she said, Kenneth can complete a task by himself with no trouble, but the next day he has no idea where to start.

The disease has completely changed their lives, she said, and it's difficult caring for him. Right now, Mitchell said, she can leave her husband alone for brief periods, but that may change.

"It's very frustrating, because you have to adjust to losing your own life. It's like 'OK, let's go out to eat lunch,' and some days it's OK and some days he doesn't want to," she said. "I've learned I do need people around me to help me get through this."

During the symposium, Mitchell participated in the virtual tour, which she said helped her understand her husband's experience a little better.

"It was shocking," she said.

In the simulation, participants were given bumpy plastic inserts to put in their shoes, a thick glove to wear on one hand, glasses to alter their vision and headphones that periodically played loud noises. Then, they went into a dimly-lit room to complete five tasks -- things like counting out $1.32 in change or setting a table for four. Instructions were given just once and the participants weren't allowed to ask questions.

"We have some people that get very emotional, because they're caring for someone and they can't understand what that person is going through," said Tanya Headen-Lee, executive director of Spring Arbor Senior Living and an instructor for the virtual tour. "This just gives them insight."

The symposium featured booths and interactive displays from hospitals, nursing homes and other vendors. An attorney spoke on the legal aspects of caregiving while medical workers discussed the stages of dementia.

The featured speakers were Melanie Bunn, a dementia training specialist, and Dr. Karen Sullivan, a neuropsychologist.

"We have a lot of new-to-this caregivers here, so they don't really know where to turn," said Lisa Levine, the Dementia Alliance's director of education. "So they can come here and it's almost one-stop shopping."

And the caregivers need help, she said.

"(Dementia) is a really long disease. It's not like a six-month kind of thing, it's years and years and years, so it's exhausting for the caregiver," Levine said. "And a lot of times, they become socially isolated, because they're home all the time caring for that person."

Tuesday's event gave caregivers a chance to take a break and meet others who are dealing with the same issues, Levine said.

Mitchell is interested in taking a caregiver-training course at the Enrichment Center, she said, as she'll continue to care for her husband.

"It's a different future for both of us."

Reach Staff Writer Jasmine Gallup at 919-718-1217.

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