Roswell, GA – March 23, 2018 – Second Wind Dreams® has just been awarded a $1,479,261 civil money penalty (CMP) grant from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Second Wind Dreams is a non-profit organization focused on enhancing the quality of life for elders and providing educational tools for dementia care. Beginning December 1st, the funds will be used to provide 200 North Carolina certified nursing homes with experiential training sessions for a two-year period using the company’s Virtual Dementia Tour®, a simulation program that allows people to experience the sensory impediments, vision loss, imbalance and confusion that are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
“Over 47 million people worldwide live with dementia frequently resulting in disability and dependency,” said P.K. Beville, M.S., Founder and CEO of Second Wind Dreams. “The lack of awareness and understanding of dementia is resulting in unjustified stigmatization and barriers to diagnosis and care. This grant gives us the opportunity to capitalize on our mission, expand our reach, and in-depth training to those providing care to residents in nursing homes impacted by dementia.”
The Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT®) is a patented, ground-breaking, and scientifically-proven training method that temporarily alters participants’ physical, cognitive and sensory abilities, simulating the effects of dementia. During the VDT, trained facilitators guide participants outfitted with patented devices that alter their senses while they try to complete common everyday tasks and exercises. The VDT enables people to personally experience the physical and cognitive challenges facing those with dementia by “walking in their shoes.” This experience results in greater empathy and better person-centered care.
Continued Beville, “When caregivers experience the debilitating effects of dementia through the Virtual Dementia Tour, they gain life-changing understanding and compassion which translates to better care.”
“The VDT was an excellent tool for creating empathy and understanding of the behaviors and actions of persons with dementia. The debrief was equally important as it allowed participants to share their experiences while being given clinical information in an informal setting. It was a time to process potentially overwhelming information surrounded by friends,” said Shannon Godfrey, Heritage Inn, Sandersville, Georgia.
Carlie Beasley, of Summerset Assisted Living in Rancho Cordova has been effectively using the VDT and finding immediate results, commenting: “Our staff and family members have had dramatic experiences after going through this tour. It has made a noticeable difference on how our staff interacts with memory care residents and how much more tolerant and empathetic family members are in dealing with their loved ones. This is a compelling and possibly life-changing event that anyone remotely associated or touched by the effects of dementia should experience.”
Second Wind Dreams is involved in more than 1000 eldercare communities, hospitals, universities and medical schools in 20 countries and is also currently fulfilling a $2.9 million CMP grant for the state of Georgia serving169 nursing homes.
About Second Wind Dreams
Founded in 1997 by geriatric specialist P.K. Beville, M.S., Second Wind Dreams is a national non-profit focused exclusively on enhancing the quality of life for elders and changing society’s perception of aging by making elder dreams come true and creating the patented educational program, The Virtual Dementia Tour®. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit is governed by a Board of Directors that provides the guidance and support necessary for Second Wind Dreams to continue its mission and expand its impact. Financial support comes from individual contributions, memberships, eldercare industry associations, religious organizations, grants, corporate philanthropy, and revenue generated from the Virtual Dementia Tour.
For more information, visit www.secondwind.org
Media Contact
Company Name: Second Wind Dreams
Contact Person: Keli Snyder
Email: Send Email
Phone: 5865060344
City: Roswell
State: Georgia
Country: United States
Website: secondwind.org