Oban staff become dementia friendly

AS THE nation marks Dementia Awareness Week (May 15-21), the team at Specsavers in Oban is becoming qualified to better understand the needs of customers suffering from dementia.

Specsavers employees nationwide are completing Dementia Friends training, an initiative run by the Alzheimer’s Society. In doing so they become recognised as a Dementia Friends, with a badge to wear on their uniforms to indicate their increased level of dementia awareness to customers.

Ken Macdonald, store director of Specsavers in Oban, said: ‘Being more aware of dementia is an incredibly positive development for our team and our offering to customers.

‘I always thought dementia was all to do with someone’s memory – but it is much more than that. By uncovering the truth about dementia, it really opened my eyes to how at Specsavers, when performing our daily duties, we can all take a little time to support and care.’

The training covers all aspects of dementia and discusses how it affects people in different ways. With particular relevance to Specsavers, it also describes how senses can be affected, including sight and hearing.

Those with dementia commonly experience problems with their sight and visual perception, causing them to misinterpret the world around them. Some sufferers can experience hallucinations. On top of that, research has revealed that almost half of dementia patients in care homes are wearing glasses with the wrong prescription, leading to increased isolation and confusion.