A DEMENTIA expert has pledged to end the ‘objectification’ of those who suffer from the condition, after becoming one of the most qualified trainers in the country.

Michelle Greenwood, from Darwen, is one of just 15 people in England to have completed a new ‘Level 4’ course in dementia care training, and has already been signed up to deliver a workshop to 30 council staff.

Earlier this week the Alzheimer’s Society revealed there are now almost 20,000 people in Lancashire living with dementia, and the figure is set to increase by 70 per cent by the year 2050.

And Michelle, who used to work in the dementia unit at Birch Hall care home in Darwen, said this will have massive cost implications for the NHS, so it is crucial to improve diagnosis and early-intervention care, to prevent patients reaching ‘crisis’ point and requiring an expensive and often detrimental hospital admission.

The 44-year-old, of Lynwood Avenue, added: “Dementia is going to be a massive socio-economic problem, but we can ease this by identifying the early signs of the condition and delivering good ‘person-centred’ care.

“This is about treating people independently and uniquely, to find out what works for them, and treating them as a person rather than the illness.”

She subscribes to the ‘malignant pyschology’ theories developed by Professor Tom Kitwood, which highlighted bad practices such as ‘objectification’ of patients, talking over them and treating them like children.

Michelle, who completed the Level 4 Certificate in Dementia Care Instruction with Bolton-based ICE-r Training, aims to provide freelance training to councils and NHS organisations across Lancashire, and is already set to run a pilot course at Blackburn with Darwen Council later this month.

Jake Berry, MP for Darwen and Rossendale, said: “I’ve known Michelle since she set up a 1940s room for dementia patients at Birch Hall and she’s a really passionate champion for East Lancashire.

“We are lucky to have her because she has a fantastic skill set and hopefully we can start training a whole army of people who can be there to identify and assist those with dementia.”