Dementia in the Workplace: Supporting Employees & Colleagues
Dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects memory, thinking, and behaviour. Although it is more common in older people, it can affect people of all ages. As more people work beyond the age of 65, an increased number of people will likely experience the condition while in employment. We’ve created this article to help guide you on how to support employees and colleagues who are dealing with dementia, as well as those who are caring for someone with the disease.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of cognitive impairments that affect memory, thinking and the ability to perform everyday tasks. The most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. The Alzheimer's Society estimates that around 900,000 people are living with dementia in the UK, rising to a projected 1.6 million by 2040.
Can you still work with dementia?
In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, including dementia. However, a person’s ability to work will vary from person to person, and it largely depends on the stage and severity of the condition, as well as the type of work they do. If an employee wishes to continue working, an employee must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to support them.
For more information, read the Alzheimer’s Society’s helpful FAQ page about working with dementia.
Supporting employees with dementia
Creating a dementia-friendly workplace: This means making the workplace accessible and supportive for people with dementia. This could include things like providing clear signage, making adjustments to the work environment to reduce distractions, and offering flexible working arrangements. The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia-friendly business guide is a toolkit to help workplaces in the UK become dementia-friendly.
Being supportive and understanding: It is important to remember that people with dementia may have difficulty with certain tasks or may need more time to process information. Be patient and understanding, and offer to help your colleague with their work or to simply listen if they need to talk. Let them know that you are there for them and that you support them.
Training managers and colleagues: It is important to train managers and colleagues about dementia so that they can understand the condition and support their colleagues in the best way possible. Training can cover topics such as the symptoms of dementia, how to communicate with people with dementia, and how to provide support in the workplace. The charity Age UK offer Dementia Awareness workshops that help make your place of work an age-inclusive environment.
Providing access to support services: There are a number of support services available to people with dementia and their families. Employers can help employees with dementia to access these services, for example by providing them with information on local support groups or by offering to accompany them to appointments. Here are some websites which offer expert advice and support for those with dementia in the UK:
Support employees who care for someone with dementia
Offer practical support: This can include helping your colleague with practical tasks such as running errands, preparing meals or helping with childcare. Employers can also offer to help them with their work by taking on some of their tasks or by providing them with extra support and extended deadlines on projects. If appropriate, it is a good idea to offer flexible working hours to help them work around their caring commitments.
Encourage them to take breaks: Carers need to take breaks from their caring responsibilities to avoid burnout. Encourage your colleagues to take breaks at work to relax and recharge, and let them know that it is okay to ask for help when they need it.
Provide access to resources and support: There are a number of resources and support services available to carers of people with dementia. Help your colleagues to access these resources and be a listening ear if they need to talk about their caring responsibilities or anything else that is on their mind. Dementia Carers Count is a UK-based charity that focuses on supporting those who care for family members with dementia.
Leave Policies: Familiarize them with leave policies, such as compassionate leave and any legal entitlements related to caregiving. By ensuring they are aware of their rights and benefits you will be showing them that you care for them and may help to ease the strain of caring and working at the same time.