Dementia and a Dog

Man’s best friend is now helping dementia sufferers with great effect.  This is the result of a programme to train specially selected assistance dogs to improve the confidence, wellbeing and support of people with dementia. The project is designed to improve the quality of life for people with dementia in different ways, and is one of many partnerships between the Department of Health and Design Council encouraging innovation in healthcare. The Dementia Dog Project builds services for people with dementia that brings dogs back into their lives or supports them to continue their relationship with dogs.

The team behind dementia dog, which costs £25,000 to train each dog, is hoping to receive further support from dementia charities. Early indications are that there is a significant increase in quality of life for their owners, increasing confidence and support for people with dementia, and reducing care burdens for carers.

The project aims to prove that dogs can help people with dementia maintain their waking, sleeping and eating routine, remind them to take medication, improve confidence, keep them active and engaged with their local community, as well as providing a constant companion who will reassure when facing new and unfamiliar situations.

The idea was developed by design students at the Glasgow School of Art and has been put into practice by Alzheimers Scotland. The dogs will be trained to guide people through the day. For example if someone with dementia forgets to eat, the dog can be trained to take the person to the food cupboard or fridge. The dog will also be trained to take the person to the bathroom at specific times of the day.

There is anecdotal evidence that people with dementia can forget people’s faces but not animals, so the dogs can provide support and companionship.