OPTICIAN staff are better able to understand the needs of customers suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Specsavers employees at the Queen’s Parade store in Winsford have completed Bright Memories training, an initiative run by Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust, Alzheimer's Society and Age UK Cheshire.

Store director Peter Adshead said: "Being more aware of dementia and Alzheimer’s is an incredibly positive development for our team and our offering to customers.

"We deal with people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s every day and so the training really opened all our eyes to how we can all take a little time to support and care customers.

"By listening to someone talk about how living with dementia makes them feel, and watching examples of scenarios that they may see in the workplace, our colleagues will be able to support our customers who live with dementia with increased confidence by understanding their needs better."

The comprehensive training covers all aspects of dementia and discusses how it affects people in different ways.

The team gained an insight into how people living with autism experience day-to-day scenarios such as phone calls, getting around on public transport, shopping, reading and writing.

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Employees also found out how senses can be affected, including sight and hearing.

Those with dementia commonly experience problems with their sight and visual perception, causing them to misinterpret the world around them. Some sufferers can experience hallucinations.