Calderdale businesses are being given tips on how to support customers with dementia, as part of the drive by Calderdale Council and the Alzheimer’s Society to make Calderdale a dementia friendly borough.
The two organisations have created a new credit card sized, fold-out leaflet to help businesses make it easier for people with dementia to use their services, and to support staff to serve them more effectively. The scheme is already under way and being pioneered in Todmorden.
By 2015 there will be 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to over 1 million by 2021. There are over 2,500 people with dementia in Calderdale, and two thirds of them are still living in the community. Businesses can make small changes to help make a difference.
People with dementia say they want employees to have more awareness and that they would feel more confident if they felt that staff in shops and banks could show they have had some training in dementia. Tips for businesses in the new leaflet include: Recognising the signs of dementia – common signs are confusion, forgetfulness, losing or repeating words; giving customers more time to talk or do transactions; speaking clearly, calmly and slowly; offering to help count out money if the customer appears to be struggling.
For a copy of the leaflet please email c&k.service@alzheimers.org.uk or call 01422 352789.
To join the Dementia Action Alliance visit www.dementiaaction.org.uk
To find out how you can become a Dementia Friend go to www.dementiafriends.org.uk