Pictons staff receive Dementia Friends Training during Dementia Week from Home Instead

Pictons, a leading and award-winning regional law firm offered its staff free training to become Dementia Friends during Dementia Awareness Week, May 15th-19th.

Dementia figures in the UK are quite shocking, with one in three over-65s dying with dementia, while many people lose their faculties even earlier from strokes, accidents, and other situations.

Deborah Saini, a Personal Injury specialist at Pictons and Head of the Department says “I thought it would be a good idea to inform staff on how they can become a Dementia Friend during this important week which highlights such a devastating condition for the sufferers and their families and friends.

“We invited Dementia Friends Champion Maria Collins from Home Instead to help us learn a little bit more about what it’s like to live with dementia and how to turn that understanding into action. Anyone of any age can be a Dementia Friend and discover the small ways in which they can help and make a big difference to people who are affected by this terrible incurable condition.”

Lutonian Maria Collins, whose company Home Instead Senior Care is based in Luton says “I have a wealth of experience in health and care services gained through 30 years of working in the NHS, culminating as a Director at Great Ormond Street Hospital. I have been privileged in gaining further knowledge with a local perspective, by joining Keech Hospice Care as a Trustee on its Board.

“Caring is my vocation and I have always been passionate about delivering high quality care. I have used my nursing skills by caring for my parents, through their own long term illnesses, so understand very well the impact of dementia on the individual and their family. The care we offer at Home Instead is truly second-to-none and I am proud to have cultivated such a supportive and responsive team who, like me, are passionate about contributing to the local community.

“We want to change the face of caring and make a role with us fulfilling and empowering. To support these aims I am keen to deliver on Dementia Friendly Communities and was recently elected to the role of Chair of the Luton Dementia Action Alliance.

“I am so pleased that a major local company like Pictons, which is very community focused, has invited me to speak to their staff about becoming Dementia Friends. Whether a parent, a grandparent or a friend is affected by dementia, it is so important to know that just a small gesture can make a huge difference to the quality of life of a dementia suffer. I hope to inspire everyone to become Dementia Friends as they will find it so fulfilling.”