This week, 15-21 May, is Dementia Awareness Week in the UK so we thought we’d remind you of some of the work we’re doing at SSE to help those with the condition.
Two years ago SSE started working with dementia experts at Stirling University in a ground-breaking partnership to launch a book to help those living with the condition.
The Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC), a world leader in its field, launched the book in partnership with SSE in early 2015 – which offers heating and lighting tips to people living with dementia and their carers. And our specialist customer service teams use it to help our customers.
The book, entitled, 10 Helpful hints on heating and lighting for people with dementia and their carers, is designed to provide help and advice on managing heating and lighting efficiently and show how both can make a positive impact for people with dementia living in their own home.
The book is part of a wider programme of support that SSE now provides – including the roll-out of a new dementia awareness training programme for customer facing staff, backed up by a guide.
Elaine Mathews from our Priority Services team is one of our customer facing staff who has received the dementia awareness training programme and we asked her to tell us how the training had an impact in her daily working life.
Dementia in the UK is on the increase with around 850,000 people likely to be affected by it this year, according to The Alzheimer’s Society. Symptoms can include memory loss, difficulties with tasks and finding the right words.
For more information on Dementia Awareness Week, visit its website.