SOUTHAMPTON businesses are being urged to make themselves more dementia-friendly after four major companies vowed to help make life easier for those suffering from the disease.

After Homebase, Argos, Marks and Spencer and Lloyds Banking Group all pledged to become Dementia Friends, the Alzheimer’s Society is calling on others to follow in their footsteps.

The pledge will see staff learn specialist skills on how to deal better with customers who have dementia and their carers.

Angie Newing, from the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We applaud Argos, Homebase, Marks and Spencer and Lloyds Banking Group on their commitment to help their staff in Southampton understand more about dementia.”