Marie Curie is supporting businesses across Cardiff to become dementia friendly, as part of the Dementia Friendly Communities initiative created by Alzheimer’s Society. They provide training and resources to help create some simple, cost-effective changes that can be made to your business. These could include your premises or accessing some free awareness raising for your staff.
This means people in the local community affected by dementia can use your services – with confidence – and you can be confident you are helping to make a difference. To find out more, please email ingrid.patterson@mariecurie.org.uk
Why we became a Dementia Friendly salon:
We are an established hair and beauty salon in Cardiff and have had experience of clients with different stages of Dementia and their carers.
We have always been proud of our friendly and relaxing salon but wanted to ensure we were doing everything we could to create a safe and welcoming space for someone living with Dementia.
It is important to us that our services meet the needs of customers with dementia. And ultimately, we want to eliminate worries and instead help create happy memories at our hair and beauty salon.
We became a Dementia Friends salon in June 2020 during the first COVID lockdown, and because of this our training was delivered virtually by Ingrid, who was fantastic.
The presentation provided everything we needed to understand about dementia and the problems someone may face. Ingrid also offered suggestions based specifically to our sector, walking through the client experience from arrival to departure.
What we learnt while becoming a Dementia friendly business:
The training reassured us that we were doing the right things, but also opened our eyes to some things we hadn’t thought of. Like how speaking to someone with dementia in a mirror may be confusing. And how offering a quieter private space in the salon could help the visit be stress-free.
Dementia Friends training helped us think about the challenges someone living with dementia might face when undertaking a task interacting with their hair stylist or beautician. From booking an appointment on the phone, to paying for the service at the end of their visit.
The training helped develop the skills and confidence of staff to identify consumer vulnerabilities. To understand their customers’ circumstances and in turn has improved their confidence in managing customer contact.
We know that many clients with Dementia have not braved going out in public due to the pandemic. However, we have been able to reassure someone living with dementia (and their carers) that we are able to provide a safe space for them to visit when they are ready.
Changes we have made since becoming Dementia Friends:
It became clear that we could make some simple changes to the salon environment that could help promote independence and reduce stress & agitation for someone effected by Dementia.
- In the salon we added clearer signage throughout (toilet signs & exits). And when preparing our COVID signage, we made sure it was as clear as possible, with a simple font and contrasting colours and displayed it at eye-level.
- A brightly coloured handrail has been added to our step at the entrance into the salon to promote safety and independence.
- To avoid a trip-hazard, we have a graduated concrete ramp leading up to the rear door from the car park.
- Glass Doors can be misleading, so all Glass Doors have our salon logos on, so that it is clear they are there.
- Our customer toilet is unisex, and clearly marked. This avoids any embarrassment about finding male or female specific toilets. We also have a disabled toilet with handrails in the back salon if required.
- We understand that mirrors can be confusing. Unfortunately, in a hair salon, we cannot eliminate mirrors, however until you get to the rear of the salon, mirrors are only on one side of the room. There is ample room either side of the stylist chair, so that if necessary, the stylist is able to talk directly to the client from the side to avoid talking into the mirror.
- We have informed all staff that the Private Room in the back of the salon is available to someone with Dementia. This is a quiet space, set away from the busy salon.
Why is becoming a Dementia Friendly business so important?
The more people that understand Dementia, the better a world there will be. It is important to help people to live well with Dementia and becoming a Dementia Friendly salon is a step in the right direction.
We think this was fantastic, valuable training and is so beneficial to any local business. Raising awareness of dementia, how it might impact someone’s journey through your workplace and how employees can support both customers and colleagues will enable a more approachable customer-focused environment.
Our furthered understanding of dementia helps us to act in a more considerate way. To support all clients living with dementia in a patient, kind, and respectful manner.
We are proud to be a Dementia Friendly Salon And we have worked hard to make our salon environment as welcoming as possible to ensure that someone living with dementia can feel confident and comfortable.
If you have any questions, drop us an email or give us a call:
We were recently interviewed by ITV Wales News during Dementia Action Week:
Dementia Resources:
DEMENTIA FRIENDS CARDIFF: https://dementiafriendlycardiff.co.uk/
CARERS TRUST WALES have published Caring for someone with dementia: A guide for family and friends, a comprehensive resource that brings together the practical information and emotional guidance that carers need to support their own well-being.
DEMENTIA CONNECT is Alzheimer’s Society’s personalised support service. It’s free, easy to access, and puts you in touch with the right support, from local help to phone and online advice.
DEWIS CYMRU provides information on a local Dementia Support Service for residents based in Cardiff and the Vale. The service is free of charge and can be accessed by anyone affected by any form of dementia, including people living with dementia, their carers, family members or friends.
