Dozens of colleagues across Bernicia have become ‘Dementia Friends’, increasing their understanding of the condition and better equipping them to help tenants, customers, family and friends.
Paula Leckey, Bernicia Head of Retirement Living, is leading our work to deliver training to colleagues via a series of videos and online resources created by the Alzheimer’s Society.
‘Dementia Friends’ expands people’s understanding of dementia and inspires them to make a difference for those affected by the condition.
Face to face or virtual sessions and short online videos created as part of the campaign show people simple ways to make even a small positive difference.
So far, nearly 170 Bernicia colleagues have engaged with the project to become a ‘Dementia Friend.’
Paula said: “The Alzheimer’s Society set up this project giving people basic information about the signs of dementia, how you can help people, treating them with respect and understanding.
“They use a bookcase scenario as a way to think about your life where your recent memories are on the top shelf and your childhood memories are on the bottom shelf.
“Dementia comes along and rocks the bookcase. The first things to fall off are the books on the top shelf which explains why people can struggle to remember things they did in the last hour.
“It’s really valuable for our colleagues at Bernicia who interact with hundreds of people every day, face to face and over the phone, to understand why people may be reacting the way they are and how we can give them the best help possible.
“I’ve had a lot of colleagues approach me and say how hard but valuable they found this training, as they are going through this in their family and know how devastating dementia can be.”
The attached photo shows ‘Dementia Friends’ Bernicia colleagues.
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