We went to a local(ish) popular garden centre yesterday. I needed to buy a lawnmower and look for warm jackets for us both at the farm.
In the garden centre I left OH by the lawnmowers and went to find a staff member to help us. I found one and as we walked back she asked what help we needed. I told her my OH has dementia but still wants to cut our grass so it needed to be simple, lightweight and safe. When we got back to him the assistant instantly started to ask him what sort of lawnmower did he think was best, she showed him one which he said was 'really good' and took it out of the box to show him how to put it together. She didn't rush him at all, was very calm and patient with him. She was lovely.
We then went into an outdoor clothing shop within the garden centre. The assistant there went straight up to my OH and asked if he needed any help. OH said we are looking for a jacket for my wife. I wandered back and said we needed one each, actually. OH said 'This is my wife - can you believe that?' (1st Clue). The assistant asked what the purpose of the jacket was to be. I told him it was for a Care Farm (2nd Clue) so needed to be flexible enough to work in but warm. OH then started telling the assistant all about the pig on the farm (3rd Clue). The assistant showed me the ladies jackets and I chose one very quickly. He then took us to the men's jackets and helped OH take off his jacket and helped him put one of the jackets on. He wasn't fazed when OH stated 'I don't like that'. He just said 'that's fine, we have some more over here'. He helped him put another one on and OH said 'I don't like grey' so the assistant held up two jackets, one blue, one green, and asked which one he liked. OH chose the green one. He helped him with that, doing up the zip. OH said he would have that. The assistant looked at me for confirmation - no problem. He helped OH put his jacket back on and we headed to the till. Three times OH asked him if there was any discount. Each time the assistant calmly handed him a card, told him that, unfortunately, as they were in the sale there was no further discount but if we handed the card in at any of their stores in February we would get 15% discount. I managed to hand back two cards without OH noticing, Then OH announced that he worked at a Power Station (not true but he did up to 28 years ago). The assistant said a heartfelt 'Really? That's Amazing!' As we left he said he hoped we enjoyed the next time we go to the farm and could we please give his regards to the pig.
OH walked out with a beaming smile - I was close to tears. What an amazing experience from two very good shop assistants.
In the garden centre I left OH by the lawnmowers and went to find a staff member to help us. I found one and as we walked back she asked what help we needed. I told her my OH has dementia but still wants to cut our grass so it needed to be simple, lightweight and safe. When we got back to him the assistant instantly started to ask him what sort of lawnmower did he think was best, she showed him one which he said was 'really good' and took it out of the box to show him how to put it together. She didn't rush him at all, was very calm and patient with him. She was lovely.
We then went into an outdoor clothing shop within the garden centre. The assistant there went straight up to my OH and asked if he needed any help. OH said we are looking for a jacket for my wife. I wandered back and said we needed one each, actually. OH said 'This is my wife - can you believe that?' (1st Clue). The assistant asked what the purpose of the jacket was to be. I told him it was for a Care Farm (2nd Clue) so needed to be flexible enough to work in but warm. OH then started telling the assistant all about the pig on the farm (3rd Clue). The assistant showed me the ladies jackets and I chose one very quickly. He then took us to the men's jackets and helped OH take off his jacket and helped him put one of the jackets on. He wasn't fazed when OH stated 'I don't like that'. He just said 'that's fine, we have some more over here'. He helped him put another one on and OH said 'I don't like grey' so the assistant held up two jackets, one blue, one green, and asked which one he liked. OH chose the green one. He helped him with that, doing up the zip. OH said he would have that. The assistant looked at me for confirmation - no problem. He helped OH put his jacket back on and we headed to the till. Three times OH asked him if there was any discount. Each time the assistant calmly handed him a card, told him that, unfortunately, as they were in the sale there was no further discount but if we handed the card in at any of their stores in February we would get 15% discount. I managed to hand back two cards without OH noticing, Then OH announced that he worked at a Power Station (not true but he did up to 28 years ago). The assistant said a heartfelt 'Really? That's Amazing!' As we left he said he hoped we enjoyed the next time we go to the farm and could we please give his regards to the pig.
OH walked out with a beaming smile - I was close to tears. What an amazing experience from two very good shop assistants.
