Tyneside businesses to embrace dementia awareness scheme

A number of major businesses on the high street of Tyneside have committed to becoming more dementia friendly.

The Alzheimer's Society has been launching similar initiatives across the country in a bid to make shopping easier for people with the disease, the Journal reports.

Companies such as Marks & Spencer, Lloyds Bank, Argos and Homebase have all pledged to train their staff in dementia awareness.

They will all learn how to become dementia friends by providing a more positive shopping experience to individuals, while also being taught how to spot the signs of the condition.

Approximately 120,000 employees across Britain will take part in this scheme over the coming weeks and months.

According to the Alzheimer's Society, as many as 25 per cent of patients with the disease have given up shopping since the were diagnosed.

This is despite the fact that visiting the high street is an activity that makes many people feel like they are part of the wider community.

Hazel Cuthbertson, operations manager for the north-east, said: "From being more patient with a customer paying at a till point to communicating more clearly over the telephone, there are lots of ways Dementia Friends can help. 

"These actions and interactions could mean the difference between someone remaining an active member of their community rather than potentially becoming isolated in their own home."

West Financial Management

Meanwhile, staff at a firm in Plymouth have all kickstarted their dementia awareness campaign with a series of training sessions.

The Plymouth Herald reports employees of West Financial Management attended a free event that was held at offices on Hyde Park Road in Mutley, which were run by Jeanette Roberts.

Ms Roberts said: "Today's Dementia Friends session in Plymouth was fantastic and the feedback from participants was really positive."

The Alzheimer's Society has set a target of integrating one million people into this initiative by 2015.

Find out more about Alzheimer's disease care at Barchester homes.