A MALVERN supermarket has been helping raise awareness of dementia.

Waitrose in Great Malvern teamed up with Elgar Court Care Home in St Andrews Road to highlight Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia - a loss of cognitive functioning that can affect a person’s day to day life and activities.

Functions that can be impacted are memory, language skills, visual perception, problem solving, self-management and the ability to focus and pay attention. 

As part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Waitrose in Malvern wanted to find out how they can support their customers living with dementia.

Elgar Court Care Home arranged for MJ Albutt, a dementia nurse specialist for Barchester Healthcare, to discuss how dementia can affect the way we think and perceive things, and to give them a better understanding of the condition and its effects.

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Rosa Kauppinen, the Waitrose community activator for Malvern, said: “We were keen to find out more about Alzheimer’s and how Waitrose and Partners can look at ways of supporting customers that are both meaningful to them and, with dignity.

“It was really interesting to hear how we can make a difference with subtle changes to our voices and body language if customers experiencing cognitive decline need our support in our store.” 

MJ Albutt said: “It was a pleasure to spend time with the Waitrose Partners and to share with them our philosophy of dementia care.

“As dementia currently affects so many individuals, it is important to dispel some of the myths. And it is possible for people living with this condition, to experience wellbeing and enjoy a high quality of life.”

Naomi Steward from Elgar Court said: “Alzheimer’s and dementia affect many of our residents, so all staff receive specialist dementia training to provide person-centred care at the heart of everything we do.

“We are proud to provide an environment that helps residents to find their way around independently as much as possible, and that residents are happy to call home.

“Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.”