By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – Stoney River Assisted Living & Memory Care Executive Director Sarah Krenn is working to educate the community on the affects of dementia.

“When we were preparing for Stoney River Memory Care to open, we thought the Virtual Dementia Tour would be a great educational tool for community members and way to help those caring for someone with dementia- to provide an idea of what living with dementia is like,” explained Krenn.

Using tips and information from previous training, Krenn put together a virtual tour that provides the reality of what those living with dementia experience.

Audio-visual, shoe inserts, and other equipment augment the experience, which takes place in one of Stoney River’s resident rooms.

“This almost always gives the participant a sense of empathy/understanding,” Sarah said. “The tour is also a great training tool for our Life Enrichment Aides (caregivers) at both the Assisted Living and Memory Care.

“At Stoney River, the training of our Life Enrichment Aides (caregivers) is top priority. We are always arming our teams with ways to care for our residents- how they interact, approach, communicate, etc. As our population ages the demand for Memory Care and Assisted Living will grow in excess.”

The virtual tour is also open to community members, but Krenn says that the main purpose of the tour’s development was proper client care and understanding.

“Once the resident moves into Stoney River, they become a part of our big family. Stoney River is their home. I enjoy working with the residents and their families daily to ensure that their experience is positive,” she said.

For more information on the tour or Stoney River Assisted Living & Memory Care, call 844-458-4223 or visit stoneyrivermarshfield.com.