Safety and Security - doorstep and telephone traders

We have had a number of queries recently relating to the issues that traders - in all guises - cause to people with dementia and their carers.

We have arranged an open event with Trafford Trading Standards. At Kempton Court, off Ascot Avenue, Sale, M33 4GU

Tuesday 24th January 2012 from 2:00 - 4:30pm

They will be able to supply information about their services in Trafford and answer any questions about security for people with dementia.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don't hesitate to call Age UK Trafford's dementia service on 0161 746 3944.

Not only are people with memory loss more vulnerable to scams and confidence tricksters, but impaired judgement can mean that legitimate traders - including utility companies, charities and door step sellers - cause a bigger problem, because they are more visible, more numerous and more likely to appeal to people who may have heard of them or used them previously.  

We are bombarded more than ever with persuasive images and messages - and most people are able to use judgement in dealing with these, which means we can ignore them, tell someone we are not interested or know when something is not genuine. When someone has impaired social judgement - a particular presentation of some dementias affecting the frontal and temporal lobes, but can also result from a less tangible combination of memory loss and altered insight or mood in other dementias - they may be more vulnerable to persuasion.

There are no easy solutions, because the risks are so wide ranging and many companies and charities are advertising legitimately. Even a doorstop seller with a social conscience may not detect that the person they are talking to has dementia as they may present perfectly well in the short, amiable conversation. You also cannot assume that someone with dementia is not able to decide to donate to charity or buy something - as always it is recognising when something has gone beyond informed decisiveness - when a quirk for something becomes problematic. When desire to support charity becomes an unaffordable response to automated requests.

Stickers requesting no cold callers at the door, and services such as the telephone and mailing preference lists should reduce contact from considerate and law abiding sellers, but in effect means that contact is then more likely to be from unscrupulous traders or scamsters, and the risk of loss higher. There is then the question of reporting those who flout the preference-service laws, and resolving issues where money is lost and contracts signed - stress that most carers would rather live without.

Trading Standards in Trafford have a communication system whereby anyone signed up receives information about known scams and rogue traders operating in the area, and it may be that greater use of communication within communities is the best way to reduce the risks. 



We'll be closed between Friday 23rd December and Monday 2nd January but back on Tuesday the 3rd bright and early.