A Dementia-Friendly Business Certification Shows You Welcome And Care For All Customers Equally

As a business owner, you deal with a variety of people every day, but people with dementia present special challenges when they have memory issues or problems processing information and communicating. If someone you know has dementia, you may have compassion and what to help. One way to help people with dementia and their caregivers is to have your business certified as dementia-friendly. Here's what that entails.

Your Staff Is Trained On Serving People With Dementia

To be certified, your staff needs to be trained in techniques for dealing with those with dementia. This could be simple tactics such as speaking slowly and giving the person time to process and respond. Training your staff to treat each customer with equal respect is important so a person with dementia feels comfortable in your place of business.

By treating your customers well, you'll also put caregivers and family at ease. By doing so, your business could have a big impact on caregivers who may rarely get the chance to dine with their loved one in a restaurant or go shopping simply because of the perceptions and challenges someone with dementia faces when in public.

Your Building Is Assessed For Needed Changes

People with dementia do better with fewer choices and more direction. A dementia-friendly business certification service can suggest ways to make your building easier to navigate. This might include signs and paths that point the way to a service window or seating area. You might be advised to remove trip hazards or even designate part of the building to have fewer distractions that could agitate someone with dementia.

People with dementia have different problems, so you can't assume someone has limited ability just because they may have trouble speaking or communicating. The person may be able to read and understand, so clear signs in buildings and simple menus in eating areas could be helpful.

You Display Your Certification

Once you've been certified as a dementia-friendly business, you can display the certification in your building or window. This lets everyone know you welcome those with challenges and it also lets other patrons know people with dementia may be present, and this may nudge the patrons to be patient and more accepting as well.

Dementia affects many families, and people with dementia can still function well enough to do many usual activities as long as they have guidance and are treated with respect. By displaying your certification, you show you care for all people and that helps foster goodwill in your community.