Category Archives: Scotland

Alzheimer’s Scotland are now training 2 more puppies

July 16, 2013   Alzheimer’s, Carers, dementia, Scotland

The ‘dementia dogs’ that get their owners out of bed, keep them active, and bring them their medication

  • Ken Will, 79, and Maureen Benham, 69, have been given assistance dogs
  • Say they have finally ‘got their lives back’ because they can socialise again
  • Kaspa and Oscar are the first ‘dementia dogs’ in the country that listen to a set of alarms that tell them to carry out specific tasks
  • Alzheimer’s Scotland are now training 2 more puppies to do the same job
  • By Emma Innes

PUBLISHED: 17:50, 15 July 2013 | UPDATED: 19:30, 15 July 2013

A Labrador and a golden retriever – named Kaspa and Oscar – have become the first dogs in the country to look after dementia sufferers.
The pair has been drafted in to help Ken Will, 79, and Maureen Benham, 69, who were both diagnosed with dementia three years ago.

As their conditions have deteriorated, their dependence on respective partners Glenys Will, 66, and Frank Benham, 74, has increased – until now.

A Labrador and a golden retriever – named Kaspa and Oscar (pictured with Maureen and Frank Benham) – have become the first dogs in the country to look after dementia sufferers

Read More

Robots to help people with dementia in Western Isles

July 5, 2013   Alzheimer’s, Carers, dementia, health, Independent living, internet, Scotland, Social care

NHS Western Isles is putting robots into the homes of people with dementia as part of a pilot scheme

 

Members of the Remodem project team with the Giraff robot
Backers of the plan believe robots can replace the human touch

NHS Western Isles is putting robots into the homes of people with dementia as part of a pilot scheme to help them to continue to live independently.
A relative or carer – potentially hundreds of miles away – can drive the machine around the house to check that everything is all right.
The pair can also have a chat through a two-way video call system.
The Giraff robots are 1.5m (4ft 11in) tall with wheels, and a TV screen instead of a head.
A relative or carer can call up the Giraff with a computer from any location. Their face will appear on the screen allowing them to chat to the other person.

Read More

“Five minutes is enough.” says Dundee United legend's wife

June 29, 2013   Alzheimer’s, Carers, dementia, Scotland, ukcuts
Dundee United legend’s wife takes dementia campaign to Holyrood
By Jenny Thomson, 28 June 2013 8.03am.
  • Frank and Amanda Kopel.

The woman leading a campaign to get free personal care for people with early onset dementia is to make her case at the Scottish Parliament.

Amanda Kopel, from Kirriemuir, started her campaign after her husband, former Dundee United star Frank Kopel, 64, was diagnosed with the disease in 2009.

As he is under 65 his care is paid for by his family, at a cost of £400 a week, but Amanda wants a change in the law to see all those with the disease receive the same benefits.

She started a petition calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to raise awareness of the daily issues suffered by people with Alzheimer’s and dementia and to ensure that free personal care is made available for all sufferers regardless of age.

Read More