Fire fighters from Truro fire station have undergone specialist training to help them cope with the growing number of older people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The dementia workshops developed by at-home care company Home Instead Senior Care was delivered to the firemen to help give them a better understanding of dementia, arming them with effective techniques for managing the many different, and sometimes challenging, behaviours associated with the condition.

Feedback from the workshops has been very positive as firefighters often visit older people in their homes to carry our fire safety visits and come across people who have dementia or have relations with people living with dementia.

Watch manager Ray Filbey said: “Our thanks go to Tim who provided the training, I had no hesitation in accepting the chance of a greater awareness on Dementia, and look forward to helping others understand. This training will assist our firefighters to recognise the signs, provide support and care as the need arises “.

Tim Roe, owner of Home Instead Senior Care in Truro and chair of the local Dementia Action Alliance said: “Working with local community groups is a fantastic way for us to raise awareness about the growing issue of dementia and to share the knowledge which we have gained as a company. Our aim is to make our community more dementia-friendly and I would urge any other groups who think they would benefit from this training to get in touch with me.”

For more information on dementia workshops, contact Home Instead Senior Care on 01872 224004 or visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/truro.