Adventures with Dementia

Here is the latest of my Journalism projects. An audio slideshow based on the confronting nature of dementia.

Dementia is an extremely confronting disease. When you are talking to someone with advanced dementia, you never know whether there is truth to the conversation or not. Often, no matter how many times you have met them, they will not remember you. Eventually, people deteriorate to a point where they can do nothing but lie there. They can't talk, walk, or control their mind and body.  They often end up in high dependency dementia wards, with no family nearby and no one to support them.

 Future geriatrician, Ben, recognized this issue within the community and started a group that goes by the name "Adventures with Dementia." It is a group of 20 something year old university students who travel around once a week to these high dependency wards to have tea and scones with those who are able, and hold the hands of those who are not. It is a way for the youth to engage with the elderly community, so that they feel appreciated and loved. Ben takes us through the some of confrontation, shock and also the appreciation that comes with getting involved with the disease, and the people behind it.