The first officially dementia-friendly entrepreneur in West Maas en Waal is now a reality

The Jumbo supermarket in Beneden-Leeuwen is the first dementia-friendly business in West Maas en Waal. The supermarket trained its employees and has been recognized by Alzheimer Nederland as a dementia-friendly entrepreneur. This is a positive development because the number of people with dementia is increasing. Only by working together with residents, organizations, associations, and entrepreneurs can we create a dementia-friendly society.

The first officially dementia-friendly entrepreneur in West Maas en Waal

Alderman Rob Reuvers: "It's wonderful to see Jumbo in Beneden-Leeuwen doing its bit to create a dementia-friendly society. I'm proud of this first step in the business world. And I hope it will inspire others, so that more dementia-friendly businesses will soon follow. Because together we have a responsibility to enable residents with dementia to participate in society for as long as possible."

Attend a meeting on dealing with dementia effectively

In 2025, welfare organization Sociom will organize a number of meetings on how to deal with dementia effectively. During these meetings, you will learn what dementia is and how to deal with it effectively. The meetings are open to anyone who lives or works in the municipality of West Maas en Waal. Small businesses can also have their employees trained in recognizing and dealing with dementia.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 9, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the service center at Van Heemstraweg 50C in Beneden-Leeuwen. To register, please contact Joyce Fitzgerald, community worker at Sociom, at joycefitzgerald@sociom.nl or by phone at 06 8997 4946.

Together we are the dementia-friendly society

Organizations are also committed to creating a dementia-friendly society. New employees of the municipality of West Maas en Waal receive a brochure about the dementia-friendly municipality. They also receive an invitation to the online training course offered by Samendementievriendelijk (Dementia-Friendly Together). This is part of Alzheimer Nederland (Alzheimer's Netherlands).

On June 30, the municipality is organizing a training session in the town hall for organizations from the municipality. There is a lot of interest. Employees from the police, enforcement, housing association De Kernen, welfare organization Sociom, Sterker sociaal werk, and VraagWijzer West Maas en Waal are participating.