A mobile dementia simulator based in a bus has visited the region offering the public a taste of living with dementia.

The interactive training experience was hosted by home care provider, Bluebird Care East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, as part of a tour aimed at increasing understanding about dementia.

It saw a "dementia bus" make stops at Beacon Innovation Centre in Gorleston and the Riverside Business Centre in Lowestoft, attracting the attention of mayor of Great Yarmouth, Penny Carpenter and deputy mayor of Lowestoft, councillor Elise Youngman.

Various members of the community, charities, care groups, and Bluebird Care team members participated in the training.

Mittens, altered glasses, headphones and spiked insoles were used to impair mobility, vision and hearing Mittens, altered glasses, headphones and spiked insoles were used to impair mobility, vision and hearing (Image: Submitted)

The experience was designed to mimic the daily challenges faced by dementia patients.

Mittens, altered glasses, headphones and spiked insoles were used to impair mobility, vision and hearing, and to cause discomfort, all common experiences people with dementia face.

Bluebird Care East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft recently opened an office in Gorleston.

It aims to provide independence for residents in their homes.

The organisation works extensively with people living with dementia and their families across the area.

Kerry Hobbs, director at Bluebird Care East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, said: “We were delighted to invite guests from across our local community into the mobile dementia simulator to increase understanding about how to support those living with the condition."

Community get to experience life with dementia through unique simulator Community get to experience life with dementia through unique simulator (Image: Submitted)

She added that "the training had shed a new light on the many different symptoms that a person with dementia can be experiencing, to enhance the support we can offer those in our care.”

Councillor Youngman said: “I’m extremely grateful to Bluebird Care East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft for organising the mobile dementia simulator experience and allowing me to gain a valuable insight into dementia.”