Downpatrick and Rowallane District Electoral Areas welcome the “Virtual Dementia Tour”.

Downpatrick and Rowallane District Electoral Area (DEA) Forums in partnership with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT), are delighted to announce that residents will have the opportunity to experience the “Virtual Dementia Tour” bus in the near future.

It’s a fact that the number of people living with dementia is set to increase in the coming years. This 3-hour virtual tour provides a unique learning experience, a chance to walk in the shoes of a person living with dementia, that will help participants understand the confusion, disorientation, anxiety and loss of movement that a person with dementia faces daily.

The tour bus will visit the following towns:

Numbers are limited at each session to 12 participants and due to their popularity, prior booking is essential. Anyone who lives or works within the SEHSC Trust area can now contact the Central Booking Office on (028) 4483 8386 to book a place on the tour.

Councillor Oonagh Hanlon, Chairperson of Downpatrick DEA stated, “Dementia does not discriminate against race, culture, age or ethnic background and participating in the Virtual Dementia Tour allows all people experience what it would be like to live with this degenerative and debilitating illness.” Speaking about the visit, Councillor Patrick Brown said, “Many of us have personal experience of family members who are battling this illness, or who are involved in a caring or supportive role who would benefit from taking the tour. I would urge everyone to book early to ensure their place..”