Supporting those most in need

From the under 5s to the over 60s, from long term disability to transient illness, our priority services are there to support anyone who needs it. With Dementia affecting 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 and 40,000 people in the UK under the age of 65, it’s a condition that’s affecting an increasing number of people.

Dementia describes a range of different brain disorders that trigger a loss of brain function. These conditions are all usually progressive and debilitating. Whatever the exact type of dementia someone is living with, it can impact their interactions with their family, service providers, utility and others.

Both office and operational colleagues have gone through Dementia Friends information sessions. From speaking slowly and clearly, to remembering that reflective signs and loud, vibrating machinery can be distracting to people living with dementia, we’re equipping our engineers with the skills they need to reassure people living with dementia and help them interact with our services.

Given the impact that dementia can have on the ability of people to interact with energy and other utilities, one of the easiest and quickest ways those most in need can be sure they’re able to get support is by signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR). It helps gas, electricity and water companies look after people in the unlikely event of an interruption to their supply.  It also allows them to choose their own password to confirm engineers are genuine, while suppliers may be able to move a gas meter if customers cannot access it. And, suppliers can be asked to send their bill to anyone who has agreed to receive it (for example a family member or carer)

If you know someone who is living with dementia – or matches the criteria for the priority service register, you can find out more here.