Is your organisation dementia friendly?

Everyone can make a significant difference to those with dementia and their carers by increasing awareness and understanding of it and help remove some of the stigma currently associated with the disease. Even something as small as following us on Facebook can help.

Dementia is one of the greatest challenges we face in society today. All businesses and groups can contribute to tackling the social and economic impact of dementia.

Less than half (47%) of people living with dementia feel a part of their community (Alzheimer’s Society), and 28% said they have given up evengetting out of the house.

Businesses and organisations can make a big difference for people with dementia and their carers by making a commitment to become more dementia-friendly. Becoming a dementia-friendly business is not only a socially responsible step but can also bring economic benefits.

This does not mean having to prioritise dementia over other conditions or disabilities. When a business gets it right for people with dementia, it gets it right for everyone.

We offer free training and advice - why not take up the offer? 

What is Dementia Friends?

Sadly, like cancer, Dementia doesn’t care who you are; it could potentially affect one in three of us plus have a profound impact on family and friends.

People with a dementia want to remain independent and live at home for as long as possible. But because public understanding is so poor, people with dementia often feel - and are – misunderstood, marginalised and isolated. That means that they’re less likely to be able to live independently in their own communities.

As a charity, Tavistock Dementia Alliance aims to create a climate of kindness and understanding, so that everyone affected by dementia feels a part of, not apart from, society.

To this end, we offer free Dementia Friends training to groups and businesses. Becoming a Dementia Friend simply means finding out more about how dementia affects a person – and then, armed with this understanding, enabling small everyday things that help.

We cover the 5 key messages you need to know along with what dementia is, how it affects the person and their carers and how to help support them within our community.

The presentation is quite light and emphasises support and understanding including hints and tips and fun interactive exercises to show how it is possible to live well with dementia.

Previous feedback included

• "Makes you more aware how dementia affects people in different ways".
• "Excellent training".
• "I found the training insightful and informative. It has made me think differently about the behaviours shown by my own father".
• "My understanding of dementia was significantly improved and I gained very useful ideas about how to act"

Premises audits

We can also offer free audits to enable local businesses to become more dementia friendly - simple things like communication, entrances, signage, lighting for example help make it more accessible.

Local businesses, shops and organisations play a big part to play. We can’t change the person living with dementia, but we can change their experience in their community.

If you would like to benefit from these free resources, please contact Amanda at Tavistock Dementia Alliance by emailing info@tavistockdementia.org
 

Business benefits

Competitive advantage - research shows that 83% of people with memory problems have switched their shopping habits to places that are more accessible (Alzheimer’s Society). Becoming dementia - friendly will enable your businesses to retain existing customers and attract new ones.

Increased revenue -  As a leader in dementia-friendly practices, your business will retain and build on existing custom, both from people living with the condition and from their carers, family and friends.

Improved customer service - increased knowledge and awareness of dementia will make staff more confident when dealing with all customers. 

Social benefits

Helping people to live well with dementia - being part of our community and being able to continue with everyday tasks are important factors that help people to live well with dementia. You will enable people to carry on doing the things they want to do.

Helping people stay independent - people with dementia want to remain independent and live at home for as long as possible. Being supported by the organisations they use plays a big part in this

Improving accessibility for the whole community - getting it right for customers with dementia means that others will benefit too, including older customers. Changes such as having clear signage, or providing a quiet space, will be appreciated by everyone.

Reducing social isolation - people living with and affected by dementia are often isolated from the wider community due to lack of understanding and stigma. For some customers shopping or visiting businesses is a vital way of alleviating loneliness.

Why not take advantage of this free resource?

Contact Amanda at info@tavistockdementia.org for more information.