Halden Heights Nursing Home in High Halden, near Ashford, recently welcomed the Virtual Dementia Tour, facilitated by The Dementia Experience, to help carers and family members gain a deeper understanding of what everyday life can feel like for people living with dementia.
The session brought together care staff, relatives and members of the local community for a safe, guided dementia awareness experience. In total, 32 participants took part.
Unlike a standard classroom-style training session, the Virtual Dementia Tour is an immersive experience. Participants were guided into a specially prepared environment where their senses were deliberately challenged.

Using equipment such as headsets, gloves and specialist glasses, they were asked to complete simple tasks while experiencing changes to sight, sound, touch, concentration and confidence.
Everyday actions that may usually feel straightforward, such as recognising an object, understanding an instruction, judging a colour or completing a basic task, became more difficult. The experience helped participants better understand how confusing, frustrating or overwhelming daily life can sometimes feel for a person living with dementia.
For the team at Halden Heights, the session was a valuable reminder that dementia care is about more than routine support. It requires patience, observation, reassurance and a strong understanding of the person behind the condition.

The experience also helped families reflect on what their loved one may be going through. Behaviour that may appear difficult from the outside can often be linked to fear, confusion, sensory overload or difficulty making sense of the environment.
Training such as this supports the home’s ongoing commitment to person-centred care. The leadership team at Halden Heights continues to support regular training and development, helping staff build on their knowledge and strengthen the way they support residents with dignity, patience and understanding.

Halden Heights Nursing Home supports residents and families from High Halden, Ashford, Tenterden, Bethersden, Biddenden, Woodchurch, Smarden, Headcorn and surrounding Kent villages.
For families looking for dementia care near Ashford or nursing care in Kent, the session highlights the importance of choosing a home where staff training, compassion and resident understanding are central to everyday care.