Virtual Dementia Tour in St Andrews

Friday 25 October 2019

Maggie_Ellis_GEM

A Virtual Dementia Tour which gives people the opportunity to walk in the world of those living with dementia will visit St Andrews next week (Tuesday 29 October).

Evidence suggests that the tour represents the closest a person with a healthy brain can come to experiencing what living with dementia might be like.

Dementia affects the brain, making it harder to remember things or think as clearly as before. It is an umbrella term referring to a collection of symptoms that are caused by many different illnesses of the brain.

Supported by Dementia Friendly St Andrews, the tour bus will be located in Market Street throughout the day.

Dr Maggie Ellis, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of St Andrews and who is spearheading a new initiative aimed at making St Andrews a dementia friendly community, said the arrival of the Virtual Dementia Tour in St Andrews is an opportunity to heighten awareness of a condition that kills more people than heart disease or cancer.

“This is a great opportunity for people in St Andrews to find out what it is like to live with dementia,” she said.

“By promoting understanding of dementia and encouraging organisations and businesses to take part in dementia awareness, we can make St Andrews a place where individuals living with dementia  are recognised and accepted.

“Unfortunately there are a limited number of slots available on the tour bus, but I would encourage anyone who wants to find out more about dementia to come along.”


The Virtual Dementia Tour bus will be located in Market Street, St Andrews (outside Nandos), from 9.30 to 5.15 on Tuesday 29 October.

Issued by the University of St Andrews Communications Office.

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