Dementia Dogs
Can dogs help people with Dementia? Yes, and in many ways! Dementia Dog, is currently piloting a scheme to establish the impact dogs can have on Dementia patients’ lives. Read on for 5 ways in which dogs can assist Dementia patients:
- Daily Routine Support
Dementia can cause people to forget the simplest of tasks, even ones which they are used to carrying out on a daily basis. Dogs are creatures of habit; they can be trained to support the daily routines of dementia sufferers. They can do this by reminding or prompting them to carry out any tasks which may be part of their daily routine including essentials such as eating, going to the bathroom and taking medication as well as going for walks and exercising.
- Independence
One of the most distressing aspects of dementia, to the patient, is the loss of their independence as they become ‘cared for’. Their symptoms cause them not to be able to carry out simple tasks that they have been performing their whole lives, which not only causes distress to the patient but deterioration on their confidence too. A dog can help the patient feel more confident as they have a responsibility to ‘care for’ the dog which will make them feel they have a purpose; therefore bosting their self esteem. Taking the dog for walks etc will help to make the patient feel independent for longer, with the dog ensuring the patients safety.
- Interaction
Communicating can become difficult for people suffering from dementia as they struggle to remember things from the past as well as the words they need to get across what they want to say. Having a dog can act as a bridge to communicating with others and can be an icebreaker if the patient wants to talk but isn’t sure what to say. It helps to encourage conversation without relying on any memories, which means the patient can interact with people without struggling to remember things.
Living Well With Dementia – Dementia Dog from Dementia Dog on Vimeo.
- Wellbeing
With dementia, patients can often become anxious and distressed and can be hard to keep calm once something triggers their stress. Patients usually find comfort in stroking things like cuddy toys. A dog could be an effective distraction as it allows the patient to concentrate on something other than the issue which has triggered their anxiety as well acting as a soothing aid as they can be stroked.
- Companionship
As communicating becomes more difficult for a Dementia patient they can feel very lonely and isolated as they can’t converse with anyone without complications. A dog, as a loyal companion, can provide emotional support and 24/7 comfort and reassurance, void of any human prejudice. This can help to alleviate the lonely and often frightened emotional state of dementia sufferers.
Overall, it is important to remember that a dog might not be appropriate or helpful for everyone, and will require care of it’s own.
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If you have any experiences in dealing with dogs and dementia patients, please share them in the comments below.