Alzheimers Otago works with Otago businesses to increase their understanding of the needs of people with dementia. Businesses can become accredited as Dementia Aware after staff have completed training with Alzheimers Otago and the organisation has made an ongoing commitment to meet the needs of people with dementia in their community.

Businesses can then go on to achieve higher levels of accreditation with Alzheimers New Zealand through the

Dementia Friendly Recognition programme.

Knowing a business has committed to being Dementia Aware and that staff have received training in dementia gives people with dementia and their families confidence to know their needs are more likely to be met.

If your business is interested in becoming Dementia Aware, contact the Manager on 03 471 6154 or manager@alzheimersotago.org.nz

We are so pleased to inform you that the following Otago businesses are Dementia Aware:

Polson Higgs

Dunedin based business advisors Polson Higgs were the first Otago business to become Dementia Aware. The business has embraced the Dementia Aware programme by training their staff as Dementia Friends and making changes to how they do business to support people living with dementia.

Balclutha Library & Clutha Visitor Information Centre

Balclutha Library and Visitor Information Centre are proud to be Dementia Aware. As with many libraries and community services they were already very conscious of supporting their clients who have additional needs but now their staff have become Dementia Friends they have greater insights into the needs of people with dementia.