New research from The International Longevity Centre (ILC) has revealed one in four people living with dementia avoid shopping after diagnosis, despite enjoying it previously.
The results of the recent study by ILC should place a significant amount of pressure on the retail sector in the UK to reduce the barriers to shopping for those living with dementia, according to Will Donnelly, Care Expert and Co-Founder of Later Living Marketplace at Lottie.
63% of those living with dementia in the UK believe retailers aren’t doing enough to support their shopping experience – and this isn’t acceptable.
Will Donnelly, Care Expert and Co-Founder of Lottie, warns of the negative impact of an inaccessible retail sector on the wellbeing of those living with dementia:
“It is shocking to see new research from The International Longevity Centre (ILC) has revealed one in four people living with dementia avoid shopping after a diagnosis.
Almost 1 million people in the UK are living with dementia and this is only expected to increase over the next few years. Improving the shopping and retail experience of those living with dementia is crucial to enable them to live independently and remain part of their local communities.
Many people living with dementia can struggle to navigate new environments – this can make a shopping trip stressful or overwhelming – especially when trying to make informed decisions.
One of the most common symptoms of dementia is experiencing memory problems – and this can cause many difficulties for those living with dementia when it comes to paying on checkout, including understanding the price of an item, remembering PINs and adjusting to new or smart technologies.
Too often those living with dementia may be worried by people’s reactions to not understanding their difficulties. More education and training on spotting the signs and offering the right support to shoppers living with dementia is needed across the retail sector.
Improving the shopping experience for those living with dementia will also improve accessibility to the retail sector for many disabled and vulnerable people across the UK.”
Here’s what’s needed from the retail sector to improve the accessibility of high street shops for those living with dementia, according to Lottie’s Will Donnelly:
- Dementia training and education for retail workers
We must ensure people with dementia are able to access appropriate support in a retail environment.
Retail stores should aim to educate all members of staff on the signs, symptoms and ways they can support someone living with dementia, such as learning how to communicate with somebody with dementia.
- Increase the support available for those living with dementia
Often, many people living with dementia may be worried about asking for help in fear of people’s reactions to not understanding their difficulties.
Retailers should make it clear where those that may be struggling or finding their shopping experience stressful can access help. For example, displaying clear signs to the customer service section or having trained members of staff that can offer support.
- Review the checkout process
Shopping provides a key opportunity for social interaction – something that is crucial to living well after diagnosis.
The rise in self checkouts in many stores removes an important part of social interaction. Similarly, checkout machines can be isolating for vulnerable people and intimidating for a person with dementia.
Retailers should look to provide inclusive checkout experiences that enable those living with dementia to access the support and interaction needed at the end of their shopping experience.
- Improve store navigation
Dementia can affect a person’s ability to navigate new environments, as well as recognising places they were previously familiar with.
Visual aids across the store can help direct those living with dementia to navigate their way around the store.