{"id":25094,"date":"2025-03-06T17:05:49","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T17:05:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dementiauk.org\/?page_id=25094"},"modified":"2026-03-24T16:19:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T16:19:59","slug":"supporting-employees-affected-by-dementia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dementiauk.org\/information-and-support\/dementia-at-work\/supporting-employees-affected-by-dementia\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting employees affected by dementia and their carers"},"content":{"rendered":"

As an employer, supporting an employee with dementia requires empathy, awareness, and a clear understanding of your legal<\/a> responsibilities. Making reasonable adjustments and fostering an inclusive workplace culture can make a significant difference to an employee’s wellbeing and ability to remain in work.<\/p>\n

Employees who care for a person with dementia will also need understanding and support to help them manage their work and caring responsibilities.<\/p>\n

What to do if your employee has dementia<\/a><\/h2>\n

When an employee discloses a diagnosis of dementia<\/a>, managers should approach the situation with empathy and care. This will help the employee feel supported and avoid any misunderstanding about how their diagnosis may affect their employment.<\/p>\n

How to discuss a dementia diagnosis with your employee<\/h3>\n

Top tips for responding to your employee’s diagnosis:<\/p>\n

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  1. Thank them for sharing<\/strong>: acknowledge the courage it took for the employee to disclose their diagnosis and thank them for their openness. Remember that this is likely to be a difficult conversation for them.<\/li>\n
  2. Normalise the discussion<\/strong>: treat it like a conversation about any other medical issue. Let the employee know that your perception of them as a person has not changed as a result of their diagnosis. Reassure them of your support, including putting in place reasonable adjustments to help them in their role.<\/li>\n
  3. Reflect and gather information<\/strong>: you do not need to have all the answers about next steps immediately. Tell the employee that you will reflect on what they have shared and get back to them. Consider discussing the situation with your human resources (HR) Team, if you have one. Make sure you are informed about your legal duties and your company’s policies around sickness and disability.<\/li>\n
  4. Ask about their needs<\/strong>: find out what the employee is having difficulty with at work, and what they would like to happen to make their role easier.<\/li>\n
  5. Maintain their privacy and confidentiality<\/strong>: ask them if they want their colleagues to know about their diagnosis or not. If they do, find out if they would like to share the news themselves or would prefer you to do it.<\/li>\n
  6. Remember that each situation is unique<\/strong>: open communication with the employee is crucial. By providing support that is specific to their individual needs, you can create a positive work environment for employees with dementia.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How might dementia affect an employee?<\/a><\/h2>\n

    Dementia is the umbrella term for a group of illnesses that, over time, cause damage to the brain and its functions. There are over 200 subtypes of dementia<\/a> and everyone affected by the condition will have their own experience, but it primarily affects thinking, memory and communication. These issues may make work feel more difficult for the employee and result in distress, embarrassment, and a loss of confidence.<\/p>\n

    Dementia is a progressive condition, so while initially, a person with dementia may be able to continue to work with the right support, over time, work will become more challenging and overwhelming.<\/p>\n

    Changes in behaviour and communication<\/h3>\n

    Dementia affects everyone differently, but you might notice some changes in behaviour in an employee with dementia. For example, they may react with frustration or distress if tasks do not go to plan.<\/p>\n

    They may also have problems with communication<\/a>, such as struggling to follow a conversation or find the right words.<\/p>\n

    Difficulty with routine tasks<\/h3>\n

    An employee in the early stages of dementia<\/a> may struggle with tasks that they previously did not. They may:<\/p>\n