None of us can comprehend what it feels like living with dementia but by learning what symptoms to look out for, we can better support each other.
Supporting the Alzheimer’s Society is crucial in raising awareness, providing resources, and funding research to improve the lives of those affected by dementia. Alive Activities has recently collaborated with the Alzheimer’s Society to create a video showing members of the England men’s football squad experiencing some of the physical challenges faced by people living with dementia by wearing a dementia ‘Empathy Suit’.
England players Kyle Walker, Ivan Toney and Jarrad Branthwaite were dressed up in the suit, made up of 13 components that inhibited mobility, motor skills, vision, and hearing, and were asked to complete a number of tasks including buttoning up a shirt and dribbling a football.
As part of The Football Association (FA) and Alzheimer’s Society’s official charity partnership, the video was launched ahead of England’s game against Belgium, which was dedicated as an ‘Alzheimer’s Society International’.
The video was produced by Alive Activities, a charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of older people and their carers, and a charity that is dedicated to supporting those living with dementia in the community.
Working alongside Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service, Isobel Jones, CEO of Alive Activities, spent the day at St. George’s Park and had this to say, “The Empathy Suit can be quite a moving experience, and we saw how surprised the players were to get a sense of some of the challenges people living with dementia often face. Of course, the most common symptoms of dementia, including memory loss and confusion, are non-physical, but what a lot of people don’t realise is the breadth of symptoms and challenges that can make everyday activities harder than usual.”
By developing and sharing online resources and videos that reflect the ‘real life’ challenges, changes and difficulties that dementia can bring is a fantastic way of helping others to understand the harsh realities of the disease.
By collaborating with the FA, it gave both charities the opportunity to share such an important message on a global stage. When watching the video, it was evident that the three lion’s players went through an emotive journey that truly helped them to understand the challenges that come from living with dementia.
This video is a valuable resource in providing education and support but also to inspire others to get involved in supporting the Alzheimer’s Society and the broader dementia community.
To find out more about Alzheimer’s Society’s partnership with The FA and work within sport, as well as information on symptoms and diagnosis, visit: www.alzheimers.org.uk/sport
To find out more about Alive Activities and its work within the community, visit: https://aliveactivities.org/