Dementia Dogs help Elderly

Dementia is a term for a set of symptoms, which can include loss of memory, mood changes and problems with communication, or reasoning

There is currently no cure and, while medicines and other interventions can ease the symptoms, the condition is terminal

This is one of the major health and social care issues of our time

Alzheimer’s charities report over 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK, with numbers expected to double in thirty years

The cost to the UK is already around £23 billion per year, set to rise to £27 billion by 2018

Globally the estimated costs are $604 billion – 1% of global GDP

No figure, however, can reflect the human cost. Every aspect of the lives of people with dementia can be affected and it can be devastating for their carers.

Nevertheless, the loss is not immediate. People can live well and independently for some time after the condition’s onset

The Dementia Dog Project

The Dementia Dog project will start with an assistance dog pilot in late 2012, that will match five specially trained dogs with people with dementia

The participants of the pilot will have a 24 hour live in carer, be in the early stages of their diagnosis and live in the central belt of Scotland

A service evaluation will take place throughout the pilot to understand the socio-economic benefits and personal benefits to the service participants

The pilot will generate in-depth evidence and provide an opportunity to learn more about the benefits dogs can bring to those with dementia

This learning will be used to explore other dog-based services, potentially involving care homes and home care

The project gathered anecdotal evidence through the website, from people with dementia and their carers – stories of their experiences of dogs and dementia

Using the stories as a starting point, working with dementia and assistance dog expertise, Dementia Dogs gradually developed a set of key areas in which dogs could deliver benefit to people with dementia

Routine & Reminders

Routine can become difficult for those with dementia. Dogs are creatures of habit and can be trained to support daily routine, responding to timed alarms to remind owners of essential daily tasks

Social Interaction

Dogs can act as a bridge to local communities – encouraging conversation and friendship that does not rely on memory

Focusing on the dog can help friends old and new start and maintain relationships with someone with dementia

Emotional Support

Dementia can be a very lonely and frightening experience. Dogs are loyal companions void of any human prejudice providing 24/7 comfort and reassurance

Out & About

Dementia can lead to isolation through lack of confidence in leaving one’s house. Walking with a dog provides a companion who can reassure and a means of exercise that feels safe

Anchoring

For a person with dementia dogs can act as a physical anchor, allowing a carer to focus elsewhere and an emotional anchor, helping one feel safe when alone

Care Homes

Dogs have a marked effect in elderly care. They are therapeutic and can be a catalyst for conversation and memories. This is a future opportunity for the project

Family/carer Support

The role of the carer is often lonely and stressful, dogs can provide joy and companionship to the whole family

Independence

Lack of confidence can become a problem for many as they become ‘cared for’. Dogs need care, this responsibility can boost self-esteem and allow a person to feel independent for longer

The foundation of the program will be the support of a daily routine and anchoring a person while out and about. As the condition progresses a person’s grip on time and day begins to disintegrate. By establishing routine behaviours in the early stages we aim to discover how well the dogs can support the maintenance of daily tasks into mid and late stage dementia

If successful, the dogs will lift part of the constant, reminder based, care burden from the carer

The pilot dogs will support the daily tasks of waking, eating, drinking, taking medication, getting exercise, using the toilet and going to bed