I really like how the hospice system I volunteer for has opportunities for additional training and learning. The other day was 2 hours on dementia and even after being with various people at various levels, I still learned a lot. One big take away for me was about peripheral vision. It added so much clarity and insight for me.

Stand with your arms out to your side (like you are a plane ready for fly around), look straight ahead and wiggle your fingers. Most people can glimpse a bit of movement in their peripheral vision.

Move each hand forward about 12 inches. This is the range that a neurotypical 75 year old would be expected to see in their peripheral vision.

Make a scuba mask with your hands (the oval shape), put that around your eyes. This is the peripheral vision of someone who is considered to have early onset dementia. Maybe even before any actual diagnosis is made.

Make two tight circles with your hands and put them around your eyes (binocular style). This is mid set dementia. With your binoculars on look down at written words, back up to make eye contact, back down… how disorientating is that?

This easy exercise helped me to see why a person might only focus on their feet when they walk, or jump if you come to them from the side (even if you think you are in their line of vision).

This along with the concept of ‘be where they are ’are probably some of the most valuable tools in my tool box.