At Promedica24, we are proud to be a dementia-friendly business. All of our staff are encouraged to become Dementia Friends, and all our carers receive training on dementia. This enables us to provide the best support we can for those who live with this condition within our communities. So, how do you become a dementia-friendly business?

1 in 3 people will develop some form of dementia during their lifetime.

How can you help someone with dementia?

If you’re a business owner, there are ways you can learn how to support your patrons who live with dementia. When it comes to the people we support, we want them to continue enjoying a full and independent life to the best of their ability.

It is common for those with dementia to be accompanied by a carer, friend or family member, who may disclose their condition with you. The blue flower badge is another way to tell if someone is either living with the condition or is accompanying someone with dementia.

Here are some tips to consider for better customer care:

• As people’s mobility can be affected by dementia, remove mats or rugs to prevent any trip hazards.
• If you are a business that serves food, explain menu items verbally instead of handing customers a paper menu.
• If you believe someone may have dementia, show more patience when serving, as they may find it hard to communicate.
• Familiarity is very important to those living with dementia. You may find that some patrons prefer to sit in the same seat, use the same mug, and so on.
• In the case of an emergency, have the number of your local dementia support services or mental health support services on hand. Call 999 if someone is showing signs of distress and they are unaccompanied.
• Lastly, learn common signs of dementia and train your staff to become Dementia Friends.

Train your staff on dementia

Dementia can affect anyone, and some people living with this condition are much younger than you would expect. Early onset dementia can affect working people in their 50s and 60s with rarer cases affecting even younger people. You could have a colleague experiencing difficulties or they might be struggling with carer responsibilities for a partner or relative.

Due to the nature of this condition, many people do not want to admit they are having problems that can be associated with dementia. Always approach people gently if you decide to share your concerns. Memory issues are often the first sign, and as your brain can be affected by a range of medical conditions, this can be a good angle to begin. You could suggest they visit the GP as they may have an infection, which at least gets them seen.

The GP might refer the person to their local community mental health team, which usually offers a Memory Clinic. This is where people can be assessed for dementia.

For more guidance, visit the Alzheimer’s Society ‘Dementia-friendly businesses’ page.

Promedica24 has dementia-trained carers, who provide hourly home care services in Blaby and Lutterworth, South Leicestershire.

For more details, please email Lisa Colver: L.Colver@promedica24.co.uk