Supermarket introduces new checkout lane for dementia sufferers
A supermarket is trialling a new relaxed shopping lane for those who need extra time to do their grocery shopping.
The idea is the brainchild of British supermarket Sainsbury’s and is being tested at the Prestwick store in South Ayrshire, Scotland.
The main target for the lane is people who suffer from dementia but is also available for the elderly and disabled.
The lane is is open from 10am to 6pm, and also features a hearing loop and staff trained in working with dementia sufferers.
The month-long trial is similar to one that took place in Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, which has now become permanent.
In Gosforth, the idea was called “Slow Shopping” and was run during a set time – two hours on a Tuesday afternoon.
People who want to use the service are greeted at the entrance to the store and an employee offers to help them with their shopping.
Chairs are also put out at the end of aisles to enable people who struggle to provide rest stops for those who find it hard to stand the whole way around the store.
In 2016, the Alzheimer’s Society found eight out of 10 of the 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK listed shopping as their favourite activity.
But since being diagnosed, one in four have given up shopping.
There are 425,416 Australians living with dementia, according to Dementia Australia.
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A Sainsbury’s spokesperson would not be drawn on whether the idea would be rolled out to all their stores, but did say that any customer can ask for help with their shopping.
“A colleague will help them – from going round with/for them and getting items into the trolley and on the tills, to helping carry bags to their car,” the spokesperson said.
“Our aim is to be the most inclusive retailer and we want all of our customers to have a great shopping experience in our stores.
“There are many aspects of a visit to the supermarket which can be stressful for those with dementia, so by trialling a slow shopping option we hope we can make their lives easier.”
