MARSHALL — A Marshall assisted living facility is inviting people to take a “Virtual Dementia Tour” next week. The goal of the tours is to help increase understanding of the challenges of living with dementia, said Jan Mason, assisted living director at Boulder Creek Assisted Living.

Boulder Creek will be offering virtual dementia tours by appointment from Nov. 4 through Nov. 8. As part of the tour, participants wear devices that distort their vision, alter their hearing, and change the sense of touch in their hands and feet. They then complete tasks that might seem simple, but are made harder by the devices, Mason said.

Before and after the tour, participants also complete a survey, she said.

The tour helps people, including caregivers and health care providers, better understand what people with dementia experience, Mason said.

“The whole point of the tour is hopefully to give people better insight, empathy and patience with people who have dementia,” she said.

People interested in taking a virtual dementia tour can call 507-401-3637.