M/s Ursula Paine, CAMEO Care, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, reports:-
Thurles Businesses Urged to Sign Up Staff for Dementia Awareness Workshops to Better Support Customers.
Do you work with the public in the Retail Sector or in Financial Services?
The Source Building here in Cathedral Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary will be the venue for a number of free dementia awareness workshops for staff working in the retail and financial services sectors, and being organised during the months of February and March, 2018.
These workshops, which will be presented by M/s Ursula Paine (CAMEO Care, Thurles), and M/s Jennifer Doyle, (Community Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles), as part of an ongoing initiative, “Dementia: Understand Together”, which is anxious to create a better understanding and awareness about this growing condition.
Approximately 4,000 people, or an average of 11 people every day, develop dementia in Ireland each year. Indeed, there are over half a million people who have had a family member with dementia, yet research shows that many of us do not fully understand this condition.
Dementia Awareness Workshops.
The dementia awareness workshops are completely free with the workshops for the retail sector taking place in February on three consecutive Fridays – February 9th, 16th and 23rd, from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Workshops for financial services staff are taking place on three consecutive Fridays in March – March 2nd, 9th and 16th from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm also.
[For more information, contact M/s Ursula Paine on Mobile: 086 8381818.]
For M/s Ursula Paine, (Nurse Manager, CAMEO Care in Thurles), these workshops will hopefully support people with dementia to continue to live safe and well within the community:-
“We know that there are about 55,000 people living with dementia in Ireland right now – a number that is set to more than double by 2040 – and that approximately two-thirds of these people remain living within the community. These workshops are all about providing staff who work with the public day in and day out, with a better understanding of dementia, perhaps recognising someone with dementia who comes into their shop, supermarket, café or financial institution; and how best to support that person”, stated M/s Paine.
“For example, signs of dementia could include persons having trouble remembering names or details; like their address; is finding it difficult to communicate what they need or want, or is having difficulty navigating their way around. We want to try to lift some of the misunderstanding that sometimes confronts people with dementia, so that they feel more included in their communities through making life that little bit better for them”, continued M/s Paine.
For M/s Jennifer Doyle, (Clinical Nurse Manager, Community Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles), these workshops will offer really practical ideas for shops and banks to better support day to day customers:-
“We are aware that shopping is one of the big activities that people with dementia living in the community continue to undertake, and we also know that being able to manage our finances is ultimately key to our independence. With these two workshops, we explore some of the situations in which customers might find themselves in a shop or bank, and offer some ideas to workshop participants, as to how to make their environments more dementia-inclusive”, stated M/s Doyle
“For example, in a shop it could be about ensuring that signage is clear and visible, or having seating, good lighting and being aware of noise levels. In a financial institution, it might be around identifying signs of financial abuse and how to engage supportive communication skills and best work with relatives. It could include changes to the customer environment, combined with staff trained in dementia awareness, e.g. who smiles warmly; speaks clearly and listens carefully to what a person is saying, and to give them that bit of extra time if needed. Such practises truly help dementia sufferers to continue to live independently”, continued M/s Doyle.
Dementia: Understand Together
The “Dementia: Understand Together” campaign is led by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Genio. The campaign website offers a comprehensive information resource on dementia, including a service-finder detailing county-by-county the dementia supports and services available.
It also offers a range of training resources for carers, and for businesses and organisations in the retail, transport, public and financial sectors. Support packs, including posters, leaflets and badges, can be ordered also. Simply visit HERE or Freephone 1800 341 341.
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