The Purple Angel Program - Creating Dementia Friendly Communities
Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on January 10, 2017
The Purple Angel Program – Creating Dementia Friendly Communities
Raising Awareness, Hope, and Empowerment
Have you heard about the Purple Angel designation?
It is a symbol given to establishments throughout the world that are committed to providing “hospitality and support to customers contending with memory loss, confusion or other symptoms associated with dementia.” In other words, they are dementia friendly establishments.
The symbol was designed by Norman McNamara and Jane Moore from England. It is becoming known as a global emblem; there is no language barrier to the symbol. The angel is a guardian watching over those that need guidance either as individuals with dementia or those helping these individuals better cope with their disease. It stands for raising awareness, hope, and empowerment.
Having a purple angel on your door or in your window tells caregivers, family members, and those experiencing dementia that they will receive respect, compassion and help. They are indeed “welcome”.
What training is involved in the Purple Angel program?
The Purple Angel program trains employees to understand the needs of individuals with memory loss and how best to meet these needs. The goal is to help the dementia patient engage in the community as much as they are still able and willing to do so.
The program gives out information to shops, businesses, and other services about dementia to address negative attitudes and to raise awareness. Through this added knowledge about this progressive disease, individuals with dementia and their families are directly impacted.
If your establishment takes the steps to be a Purple Angel designation, it is advisable that all of your employees are trained. There is no cost involved. It is a simple, effective way to work together in collaboration to make a difference.
Training most often takes the form of reading through the literature provided by the Purple Angel Ambassadors; or participating in a discussion session led my someone at your place of business or someone trained in dementia who talks about the dementia patient, their needs, and how your can best accommodate them.
What are some examples to bring awareness for community shops, businesses, and other services?
- Money Handling – Often people with dementia have difficulty understanding the amount of money they need to pay and they struggle with counting their money and paying accordingly.
How to help? Try patience, understanding, and help them with this task, either with verbal direction and/or hands-on assistance in actually counting the money.
- Confusion and Staring – A look of confusion or a typical stare are triggers to be aware of.
How to help? Reassure the person and offer help so they can focus and “remember” better the task at hand.
- Spatial Awareness – Someone might have trouble walking and appear to be stumbling while they walk. They may reach out to grab something for their balance or bump into something. They may have a look of confusion in their eyes, unsure of how to get from place to place.
How to help? If they have a walker or other assistive device, make this available to them. Ask them and lead them to where they want to go. Is it to sit down? Is it to look at a certain product? Do they need a gentle verbal reminder of where they are?
- Repetitiveness – The person may say the same thing over and over or ask the same question. They may repeat their actions.
How to help? Listen and be patient. Watch for signs that the repetitive actions are just systematic of their condition and not really reality. For example, if they are at the meat counter at the grocery store and they ask for an amount of meat/fish that is not realistic, answer them back by readjusting their amount. Likewise, if they are buying other products, watch that they are not just putting the same item in their cart over and over again.
- Checkouts – The person may not be able to hand you the items of purchase or pack their own bags after purchase.
How to help? Have an employee give the items to the checker and pack the bags. Provide assistance getting out to the bus, taxi, or their vehicle if they are still driving.
- Talking About Dementia – Many people who have dementia really don’t talk about it. They may feel embarrassed by it or they may not be aware of their diagnosis. Or they may be in denial. Don’t bring up the topic unless someone offers information to you about their situation.
How to help? If someone wants to talk about their dementia, lend an ear. Show a genuine interest in them and reassure them they are not alone. Compliment them on how well they are coping. In time, by talking to those with dementia, some of the stigma associated with the disease will reduced.
The number of Global Purple Angel Dementia Ambassadors is increasing – and raising awareness, hope, and empowerment.
In doing so, the number of dementia friendly communities is growing around the world. Consider passing this information on and help your community embrace those individuals, families, and caregivers dealing with dementia.
For more information, go to: https://www.alzheimersspeaks.com/purple-angel-project