Week to raise dementia awareness

Firms urged to wise-up to sufferers' need

Island businesses are being urged to consider that the customer in front of them may need more time, because they have dementia.

That's the message from the local branch of the Alzheimer's Society as members prepare for their annual awareness week in May.

This year, the charity is offering Manx retailers and other firms who serve the public, free dementia awareness training, in a drive to spread a unique Traa dy Liooar scheme around the Island.

It's hoped businesses will display a logo, showing that staff understand some customers have a condition which means they need to go slower.

Dementia Awareness Week runs from 14 -20 May, beginning with a tea dance at the Masonic Hall in Douglas on Sunday afternoon (14 May).

The week will feature a display and memory cafe at Noble's hospital, a dementia friends gathering in Ramsey town hall, and a Golden Memories reminiscence session hosted by Manx National Heritage. 

Support worker at the Society Susan Walker says they hope to improve basic knowledge about dementia: