Tag Archives: carers

Alzheimer’s Scotland are now training 2 more puppies

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

| 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

Norfolk drivers raise thousands for two charities

Sunday, July 14, 2013
7:39 PM

Dozens of Norfolk drivers raised thousands of pounds for a firefighters’ charity, the day after a firefighter lost his life in a blaze in Manchester.

Norfolk’s chief fire officer Nigel Williams said he had sent his condolences to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service following the death of Stephen Hunt in a fire at a city centre shop on Saturday.

Around 60 people took the opportunity to drive police cars, fire engines, combine harvesters and other unusual vehicles today during the Norfolk Driving Challenge.

The annual event at the former RAF Coltishall site raised in excess of £7,000, which will be split between the British Red Cross and The Fire Fighters Charity, which supports people in the fire and rescue community when they are in need.

Neighbourhood watch groups could help with elderly care

Neighbourhood watch groups in England could provide companionship and practical help for pensioners living alone, under an idea being considered.

 Ministers say more collaboration is needed between the state and voluntary groups

Social care minister Norman Lamb said many older people were living “very lonely lives”, without family support.

While professional care remained vital, something extra was needed, he said.

The “principle of neighbourliness” could be extended to address the “extraordinary challenge” presented by an ageing society, he told the BBC.

There are 173,000 neighbourhood watch groups in England and Wales, a scheme which started in the 1980s to encourage local residents to report suspicious behaviour in their area and to help prevent burglaries.