Sainsbury’s trials ‘dementia lanes’ for elderly customers

ONE of Britain’s biggest supermarket chains has opened a dementia lane in a store to spare elderly customers from the “cut and thrust” of busy aisles.

Sainsbury’s is trialling the new lane, where checkouts will allow the elderly to pay for their shopping at a slower pace.

Bosses say the idea, tried at a store in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, could be rolled out across the country.

Staff have received extra training to help them look after shoppers who have the condition.

At the moment, Sainsbury’s is also testing the idea at a branch in Prestwick, South Ayrshire, where managers hope it will allow those with the condition more time to pay for their groceries.

The trial is being run with Alzheimer’s Scotland in tandem with Dementia Friendly Prestwick, a programme which aims to help sufferers remain part of their community for as long as possible.

Paul Edwards, Director of Clinical Services at Dementia UK, said: “We welcome all initiatives which show an understanding of the challenges that people with dementia live with on a day-to-day basis. Clashing noises, fastpaced environments and bright lights can be quite overwhelming for people with dementia.

“Sainsbury’s idea for a slower lane is exactly the type of patient, considerate move that helps people with dementia to continue living fulfilling lives.”

Jim Baird from Alzheimer’s Scotland added: “The hope is that it will allow people with dementia just that bit more time to do their shopping without being under the pressure of the normal cut and thrust of aisles.

“It becomes very popular for a variety of people who want a bit more time to do their shopping.”

Dementia isn’t a specific disease, but instead describes a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning.

Around 850,000 people are estimated to be living with dementia in the UK.

That figure is set to grow to a million by 2025.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “Our aim is to be the most inclusive retailer and we want all of our customers to have a great shopping experience in our stores.”