SAIF partners with Alzheimer’s Society to provide Dementia Friends training for Members

Every three minutes someone develops dementia and by 2020, over 1 million people will be affected.  Dementia has become one of the nation’s greatest health challenges and the impact on UK businesses is great. With nearly 44% of people either directly or indirectly affected, we know that a large number of SAIF members and customers will be dealing with dementia in some way.

A survey carried out by Alzheimer’s Society found that 73% of UK adults thought that society was not adequately prepared to deal with dementia. This illustrates that the partnerships across communities are crucial to the wellbeing and health of employees and customers and are more important than ever before.

SAIF Chief Executive Terry Tennens recently announced SAIF’s partnership with Alzheimer’s Society.  He says, “The purpose of this partnership is for our member firms to be in a state of readiness to respond to clients or their next of kin who live with dementia. Additionally, we want SAIF members to create an avalanche of Dementia Friends across the UK via the National Society; develop deeper practicing dementia friendly businesses as examples of professional caring businesses; and not least to raise funds for this noble work that currently affects 850,000 people in the UK with projections to substantially increase and impact our way of live.”

What is Dementia Friends?

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends initiative is the biggest ever social action movement on dementia to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about a condition that touches the lives of millions of people. A Dementia Friend learns a little more about dementia and the small way to help those affected. It is a simple yet effective way to equip SAIF members with the necessary tools to communicate with customers, friends and family affected by dementia. With over 2 million Dementia Friends, Alzheimer’s Society is halfway to reaching their target of 4 million by 2020.

Dementia Friends Training

SAIF Members living near Newmarket may attend the free training at 6.00 pm on 8th May, which takes place before the Regional Meeting. At the meeting, members can learn how Chris Parker F.SAIF made her funeral business more competitive by becoming more dementia friendly.  Attendees will also hear updates on GDPR, funeral profession legislation and SAIF Care Bereavement Services.

 Video training

Members may also train their funeral staff to become Dementia Friends by a training video. Login to the Members’ area to find out more.