For Employers
The Role of Employers in Caring for People with Dementia
As an employer you not only take pride in the success of your business, but the success and well-being of your employees. It is challenging for your team when someone is dealing with various life stresses outside of work that are impacting their health and likely their work productivity as well.
Unfortunately, dementia is extremely common with most adults impacted through family or friends. This condition affects more than 1 in 14 adults over the age of 65 and one-quarter of older adults above the age of 85. Many of your employees will have parents, aunts, uncles, and other family members who are being impacted by this disease.
Dementia is different from most other common medical conditions because of the significant increase in care needs that individuals with this disease will often have throughout their lives. This means that family members are going to be putting in more time, effort, and energy to help their loved ones do well.
Deter Dementia is designed to help alleviate the many stresses that your employees will have. From their caregiving needs to their worries about getting dementia, this condition can cause significant stress on your employees and the teams around them. Through Deter Dementia University, we have courses available for your Human Resources (HR) representatives to consider so they better understand what your employees are having to worry about daily Deter Dementia University .
We also have programs and courses that you may consider offering your employees. It is a fantastic benefit that will help them be proactive, reduce stress, and make them more productive and dedicated team members for your company I want to deter dementia – For someone I care about.
You may even have an employee that is showing some signs of increased forgetfulness, inattention, or other cognitive challenges. As a responsible employer, you need to ensure their cognitive health is in a state where they can continue to help your company safely and effectively. Previously, some employers may have considered terminating such employees and be left with the guilt and worry about what may be going on behind the scenes. There’s a wonderful solution – a proactive, and evidence-based approach that will help your employees get the help they need while protecting your business and company as well I know someone with dementia.
We hope that together we can help your business continue to thrive and at the same time help each of your employees achieve their full potential. Health benefits like those offered through Deter Dementia will help set your business apart and allow you to attract the best talent out there to achieve success.
For more information on dementia, including Alzheimer’s, vascular and many other types – click here
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What Employers Should Know About Dementia?
An important thing employers should know about dementia is how dementia is different for every person. The condition changes as the disease progresses and sometimes a person might not be able to execute the job they were hired for. An employee who may be showing signs of cognitive impairment or dementia can be a risk to themselves or to others depending on your field of work. Early care and attention can help them get the best healthcare possible while also protecting your business interests at the same time.
How To Deal with An Employee with Dementia?
With empathy, kindness and understanding. It is important to know that a person with dementia might not be able to do their job with the same level of efficiency as others, but this doesn’t mean they are incapable of working at all. It is better to consult with the dementia sufferer about their limitations and the type of comfort they would prefer in the workplace now they have been diagnosed. Engaging family members (with your employee’s permission) may also be helpful in getting a full and accurate assessment of how you can continue to help one another in the workplace.
Benefits For People with Dementia in Workplace
People with dementia may be granted exemptions in some aspects of their job. They can be entitled to paid or sick leave in some situations. Other benefits can include medical allowance and some changes in their assigned workload. People with dementia in the workplace can also be shifted towards a less cognitively strenuous job once they are diagnosed with the disease.
What Should an Employee Do After Being Diagnosed with Dementia?
According to many laws regarding dementia, an employee is often legally required to tell their employer about their condition due to its potential implications on work safety. This can help with future planning but also ensuring a safe work environment for the individual as well as their coworkers. While most healthcare information does not need to be shared with employers, many jobs and contracts require any changes that can affect their ability to perform their job to be shared with their employer. This can help in determining any possible changes in the role of the employee as well as other issues including:
- How will the employee commute to work if they are unable to drive?
- Could their condition be a hazard for other employees in the workplace?
- Are they able to work with technology like computers or able to operate heavy machinery like before?
Can An Employer Fire A Person for Getting Diagnosed with Dementia?
In most regions, an employer cannot legally terminate an employee based on a medical diagnosis including dementia. However it is important to consider whether the condition of the affected person will impact their ability to safely and effectively complete their required tasks. An employer is usually obliged to adjust the work environment and try to accommodate their employee. This includes reducing their work hours, reducing their workload and accommodating them into a more suitable department as their condition allows.
Symptoms Of Dementia in An Employee
Dementia is usually a gradually progressive condition that does not occur suddenly and thus dementia symptoms don’t typically show up all at once. However, recognising the early signs will help in early diagnosis and hence promote a successful treatment plan. Symptoms of dementia may make a person’s job tasks more difficult than usual. Common symptoms include:
- Forgetting appointments and meetings
- Having trouble performing physical tasks
- Changes in behaviour and conduct during meetings or work discussions
- More difficulty with multitasking
- Difficulty acknowledging coworkers as they did before
- Trouble Making or Carrying Out Decisions
Dementia Laws
In many areas around the work, legal requirements prevent employers from firing an employee solely due to a health condition. Thus many people diagnosed with dementia can work in the same workplace setting but may require their employer to adjust and ensure a comfortable and safe work setting for all employees.
Challenges in the Workplace for People with Dementia: Training for Employers
The majority of dementia research shows that this disease primarily affects people over the age of 60. However, with more people working beyond the average retirement age, the older age group in workplaces is also increasing. This is making dementia a potential active issue amongst the working population. In addition to having employees with symptoms and concerns, many employers will have employees whose family members are facing a dementia diagnosis and require advice and support in this regard.
Here are some ways to support and foster a healthier employee-employer relationship with someone who is suffering from dementia:
| Support | A person with dementia may receive support in the workplace in several ways. It may come from a committed HR professional, a team leader or mentor, or the organization. Frequent meetings with the staff members will help ensure that they are getting the assistance they require and that any actions or follow-up tasks are properly documented for future meetings. |
| Reassurance | Getting a dementia diagnosis in itself is a very overwhelming event in one’s life. People could be reluctant to talk openly, particularly if they are in a remote working or hybrid setting where it might be simpler to hide problems. It is critical to offer straightforward assurances as well as a welcoming, collegial environment where staff members feel comfortable and open to approach managers and HR representatives with any questions they may have about what they need to do in order to succeed at work. |
| Educating the Staff | As much as the employer needs to provide a safe and comfortable work environment for someone with dementia, it is equally crucial to ensure that other employees are well-educated about dementia and its symptoms. They must know how a person with dementia may react, get frustrated from time to time and lose patience. |
| Re-organizing | People with dementia often become uncomfortable with environments that are too loud or bright. Changing a workplace or just the cubicle into a space that isn’t overwhelming or making sure the office chatter isn’t too loud to frustrate them, are some important things to consider. Moreover, implement aids like notes, and reminders to ensure the person with dementia does not feel worried about forgetting important work details. |
Speaking to your Employer About Dementia
Dementia care requires a role that is played by many parties in many aspects of life. This also includes organizations and employers who should be able to adjust to this part of our population with utmost care. However, the initial step is to explain the diagnosis and condition to the employer so appropriate measures can be taken.
By discussing a dementia diagnosis with the employer, one can make sure that the worker is not only legally protected but also can modify their position and the work environment. This includes:
- Modifying schedules to avoid undue fatigue
- Allowing one to work from home when possible
- Streamlining duties and routines
- Employing technology to remind individuals of events or appointments
- Modifying the role, such as eliminating driving
- Scheduling meetings in familiar venues
We hope that together we can help your business continue to thrive and at the same time help each of your employees achieve their full potential. Health benefits like those offered through Deter Dementia will help set your business apart and allow you to attract the best talent out there to achieve success.
For more information on dementia, including Alzheimer’s, vascular and many other types – click here
As an employer you not only take pride in the success of your business, but the success and well-being of your employees. It is challenging for your team when someone is dealing with various life stresses outside of work that are impacting their own health and likely their work productivity as well.
Unfortunately dementia is extremely common with most adults impacted through family or friends. This condition affects more than 1 in 14 adults over the age of 65 and over one quarter of older adults above the age of 85. Many of your employees will have parents, aunts, uncles, and other family members who are being impacted by this disease.
Dementia is different than most other common medical conditions because of the significant increase in care needs that individuals with this disease will often have over the course of their lives. This means that family members are going to be putting in more time, effort, and energy to help their loved ones do well.
Deter Dementia is designed to help alleviate the many stresses that your employees will have. From their caregiving needs to their own worries about getting dementia, this condition can cause significant stress on your employees and the teams around them. Through Deter Dementia University, we have courses available for your Human Resources (HR) representatives to consider so they better understand what your employees are having to worry about daily Deter Dementia University .
We also have programs and courses that you may consider offering your employees. It is a fantastic benefit that will help them be proactive, reduce stress, and make them more productive and dedicated team members for your company I want to deter dementia – For someone I care about.
You may even have an employee that is showing some signs of increased forgetfulness, inattention, or other cognitive challenges. As a responsible employer, you need to ensure their cognitive health is in a state where they can continue to help your company in a safe and effective manner. Previously, some employers may have considered terminating such employees and be left with the guilt and worry about what may be going on behind the scenes. There’s a wonderful solution – a proactive, and evidence-based approach that will help your employee get the help they need while protecting your business and company as well I know someone with dementia.
We hope that together we can help your business continue to thrive and at the same time help each of your employees achieve their full potential. Health benefits like those offered through Deter Dementia will help set your business apart and allow you to attract the best talent out there to achieve success.
For more information on dementia, including Alzheimer’s, vascular and many other types – click here
