Dungarvan plans to become first Dementia Friendly town in Ireland

Home Instead Senior Care is currently providing a free training programme to local businesses and their staff in Dungarvan who, through the course of their normal working day, may come into contact with dementia and Alzheimer’s sufferers. 

While it is estimated that there are over 50,000 people affected by dementia in Ireland today, what is equally concerning is that this number is expected to rise to 140,000 in the next 25 years.

The free training programme, devised and facilitated by Home Instead Senior Care has so far been undertaken by 13 Dungarvan businesses, including Garvey’s SuperValu, The Park Hotel, Bank of Ireland, AIB, pharmacies and restaurants.

Ray Power, Manager Home Instead Senior Care Waterford stressed the importance of service providers and retailers having a better understanding of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

“Every day in Dungarvan, someone with dementia goes into a shop, a bank, a restaurant and, as is too often the case with dementia or Alzheimer’s, that person may be confused, disorientated or isolated.  The premise of this dementia training workshop is to help businesses and their staff understand dementia, recognise the signs and interact appropriately with that person.”

“From very simply recognising the symptoms of dementia in a person to dealing with them appropriately and compassionately through apt body movements, body language and voice tone, staff will be better equipped to assist and reassure a person with dementia, in order for that person to have a stress and anxiety free experience.”

Dungarvan Chamber of Commerce recently completed the dementia workshop and is actively encouraging more local businesses to sign up for training.

Jenny Beresford, CEO Dungarvan Chamber of Commerce was enthusiastic about the initiative. “We are delighted to be working with Home Instead Senior Care to address the needs of those with dementia and their families.  Dungarvan businesses have always been ahead of the curve when it comes to providing excellent customer care. We feel that local businesses, being some of the first in the country to undertake this training programme, will certainly add value to the Dungarvan retail and service experience, not just for locals, but for those who come to visit the area.”

Mr. Power added “We are determined to make Dungarvan Ireland’s first fully Dementia Friendly Town.  The derivatives of this are manifold.  For people with dementia, visiting, shopping and staying in Dungarvan it will become an even more agreeable experience. It would encourage, what is often a marginalised sector and their family carers, who can also feel very isolated and alone, to become more enmeshed in the local community.  This is something we at Home Instead Senior Care believe can only have massive benefits to those with dementia, their carers and their families.”

If you are a business owner and are interested in finding out more about Home Instead Senior Care Dementia Training workshops, visit www.homeinstead.ie or call Waterford Home Instead Senior Care on 058 75298.

Home Instead Senior Care Teams up with An Garda Síochána to Keep Seniors Safe

Given the increase in crimes against older people by bogus callers, Home Instead Senior Care is partnering with An Garda Síochána and sponsoring the provision of 300,000 bogus caller check cards to help older people feel safe.

Many people routinely employ door-to-door traders and repair people and unfortunately, some of these people carry out very little work and charge exorbitant amounts of money for their services. This is criminal behaviour and if you suspect bogus callers are in your area or are working in a vulnerable neighbour’s home, never hesitate in contacting the Gardaí immediately.

The initiative is supported by Home Instead Senior Care Waterford and according to Ray Power, Manager, Home Instead Senior Care, “It is a sad, but true fact of life that there are people out there who will take advantage of the elderly.  In many cases, seniors are seen as soft targets to extort money from by offering dubious and deceptive services.  We cannot stress enough the importance of checking the credentials of any service person who cold - calls to the door offering maintenance or repair services.”

“The provision of these bogus caller check cards will allow older people to feel more confident and secure in their own homes.  They are available from local GP’s and pharmacists across Waterford City and County.”

Genuine tradespeople will not be offended by any enquiries the Gardaí may make and may indeed welcome them. If an unknown person calls to the door, it is advised to give them a bogus caller check card to fill out their details. A genuine person will typically co-operate and not have a problem filling out the card and the older person will have peace of mind answering the door.

An Garda Síochána advise that the bogus caller check cards are used in the following manner:

• Look out the window

• Have a viewer fitted on your door

• Have a door chain fitted and keep the chain on

• Make sure your back door is locked before you go to the door

• Ask for ID – a genuine caller won’t mind

• Don’t be embarrassed to tell the caller to write and make an appointment

• The basic rule is: if you don’t know the person at your door, you shouldn’t let them in

• If anxious contact your local Garda station

NAS Training Centre introduces Autumn Training Schedule

The NAS Training Centre has launched its Autumn Training prospectus and the schedule offers a diverse range of courses and qualification levels.

The state of the art training facility has gained a reputation as one of the region’s leading training venues and continues to work with strategic partners to host a wide range of academic and practical courses for different sectors and disciplines.

U.C.C. accredited courses due to commence in September include Certificate in Autism Spectrum Studies.  The course, created by Adult Continuing Education (ACE) at UCC, the Brothers of Charity, COPE Foundation, Cork Association for Autism and Shine Ireland focuses on the different ways in which people on the autistic spectrum experience the world.

It is designed for those who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the issues affecting the lives of people who experience ASD and examines the historical and social practices that enabled autism to be identified.

Other U.C.C. accredited courses include Higher Diploma in Safety, Health and Welfare at Work, MSc Personal and Management Coaching and Diploma in Learning and Development Practice.

Back for a third term is the Irish Times Training Diploma in Digital Media, in association with the Irish Internet Association. This course is aimed at any business or individual that wants to gain a better understanding of the ever evolving digital landscape and will enable all participants to develop a focused digital marketing strategy.

Over the course of the 12 weeks the modules will include digital marketing strategy, SEO, online advertising, mobile web, social media, online PR and many more.  The trainers comprise of some of the most well regarded names in the digital media industry.

Other Autumn courses include IITD Professional Practice Certificate in Training and Development and Certificate in Trainers Skills.  Darlington Consulting will run a one day course, “Health and Safety Compliance pays” and a Primary Course in Food Hygiene will be conducted by Mary Daly and Associates.

Michael Connolly, NLP Licensed Master Practitioner courses scheduled in the NAS Centre.  NLP is a powerful system of thinking that can accelerate the achievement of your personal and professional goals.  In effect, NLP is a powerful change management tool that transforms the way people think and act to have the greatest impact both professionally and personally.

The NAS Centre also continues to provide manual handling, patient handling, first aid, CPR, AED and fire safety courses in the centre.

If you would like to find out more about the courses on offer at the NAS Training Centre visit the Open Information Day which takes place on Thursday 11^th of September from 2pm to 7pm in NAS Training Centre, Cleaboy Business Park, Waterford City, call 051 333960 or check out www.nas.ie