RBC Becomes First Dementia Friendly Business in North Bay

September 8, 2016 –North Bay, ONTARIO – The Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts is pleased to announce the “Living Well with Dementia- Blue Umbrella Program” has begun in the city of North Bay. The program aims to educate local businesses and organizations to become a more welcoming environment for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

The RBC Main Street branch was the first business in North Bay to take the free training session which is approximately thirty minutes long and is designed to provide employees with the tools necessary to best serve persons with dementia and their caregivers. The Alzheimer Society then provides staff with certificates and the business with a blue umbrella sticker. This will demonstrate that the staff is trained in dementia friendly business so those living with the disease and their loved ones can feel more comfortable knowing they will be treated with the increased sensitivity and understanding that is required.

“Being dementia friendly is about supporting individuals with dementia and their caregivers`` says Jessica Bertuzzi-Gallo, public relations manager with the Alzheimer Society. `` We know that there are many barriers preventing people with dementia from actively participating and feeling comfortable when out in the community, this program aims to ensure they receive great customer service and can feel comfortable knowing they are supported``.

“Investing in our community where we live and work is very important to us” says Drew Mitchell, RBC Branch Manager, Main St. Branch. “It was amazing to have the Alzheimer Society come to the branch and present The Living Well with Dementia- Blue Umbrella Program. This training has really helped our staff better understand the needs of some of our most vulnerable clients. With 1500 people over the age of 65 living with dementia in the North Bay area alone—we saw this as an unique opportunity to enhance the services we currently offer to our clients and more importantly to help reduce any barriers that our clients and their caregivers were facing.

To book a free training session you can call the Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts at(705) 495-4342.

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading form of dementia. It is progressive and eventually, fatal.

Today, 747,000 Canadians are living with some form of dementia. This number will nearly double to 1.4 million in less than 20 years.  For every person diagnosed, there are many who are directly affected as caregivers.

Common warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease include memory loss, impaired judgment, thinking or reasoning and changes in personality and behaviour that are out of character.  In addition to age, other risks factors include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking.