Staff at Specsavers in Milngavie are becoming dementia aware

Following on from Dementia Awareness Week which ran from May 15-21, Specsavers employees nationwide are completing a dementia awareness programme.

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 their customers.

Caroline Kinsey, store director of Specsavers in Milngavie, 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.”

Dementia Friends is completed online and entails watching a series of scenario based videos. The second is a classroom session which builds on the skills to develop positive relationships with people with dementia.

Specsavers clinical spokesman Dr Nigel Best said: ‘People with dementia may experience problems with their sight which cause them to misinterpret the world around them. In some cases, those living with dementia can experience hallucinations.

“Specific types of dementia can also damage the visual system and cause visuoperceptual difficulties. These include Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Rarer forms of dementia, such as posterior cortical atrophy can also cause visuoperceptual difficulties. Therefore it is vitally important that we recognise customers with dementia so that we can identify and look after their eyecare needs to the best of our ability.”