Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi Maddie's Fund Community:

Does anyone have experience working with pet owners who have alzheimer's and/or dementia? I coordinate a pet support program that helps provide seniors with resources to care for their pets (such as subsidized to fully funded vet care as available, supplies, supplemental food, etc.). We are struggling to figure out how to best help clients with alzheimer's and/or dementia, especially when it comes to them understanding the limits to the resources that we can provide, as well as helping them understand the reality of what's required (financially, physically, etc.) to care for their animal. This is extremely hard when many of these clients also have little to no income. Consistent messaging, written reminders have not seemed to be helpful so I am putting a hope out there that maybe someone else has found something that can help!

TPosthank you!

#PetSupportServices*

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Alicia Curley
Program Coordinator
Humane Society of Huron Valley
MI
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This sounds like an amazing program! I'd love to learn more!

I am a Speech-Language Pathologist, and work with adults with cognitive disorders. I have thought a lot about how to support people with cognitive impairment to continue to own a pet. I might reach out to an SLP in your area to ask for direction to an adult neuro specialist who might offer their support. Maybe they would volunteer time to work with you on strategies, etc?  Each individual with dementia benefits from something different, so a case by case consultation with an SLP support would be super helpful I think!!

Best of luck <3 <3 

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Karee
Foster/Volunteer
VA
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