First dementia dogs help care for the elderly

The first batch of “dementia dogs” has been working with their new owners and are performing really well.

08:30 17 July 2013

The dogs that have been specifically trained to help people with early-stage dementia have been working with their new owners and are said to be performing really well. These dogs work by reminding their owners to take their medicine and help them get out and about.

The students from Glasgow School of Art were the ones who suggested to train dogs to help people with dementia in the same way that guide dogs help people who are blind.

Dementia dogs were taught to respond to alarms and bring medicine pouches to nudge their owners to read a reminder, and to encourage them to get out of the bed every morning.

Couple Ken and Glenys Will are one of the first couple to get help from dementia dogs.

“Kaspa is the best thing that's ever happened to us," Glenys told the BBC. “We can go shopping and the dog will sit with Ken. I don't need to worry about him. We're both more relaxed.”

Adding: “If I need the oven on, I'll leave a note beside the alarm in the kitchen. When the alarm goes off Kaspa nudges and nudges Ken until he's glad to get up. It's just amazing.”