Program for Clients with Dementia
Memory Mews
Every year millions of individuals and their loved ones are affected by the onset of dementia.
Dementia is a condition characterized by a decline in cognitive abilities such as thinking, memory, and reasoning. This decline becomes severe enough to disrupt a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks and activities.
Memory Mews is a program that provides dementia patients with the opportunity to experience the healing powers of the human-animal bond through interactions with shelter cats.
According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 55 million people that have dementia worldwide and every year another 10 million cases are diagnosed. Dementia patients often suffer from memory loss, confusion, changes in mood/behavior, negative impacts on mental health (depression, agitation, etc.), social withdraw, etc. Dementia affects not just the individual but their families as well.
According to Chernaick, multiple studies have shown that interacting with animals has a profound impact on people suffering from dementia. There is a proven correlation between animal interaction and increased social behaviors, reduced behavioral disturbance, reduced agitation, and increased communication.
* Cherniack, E & Cherniack, Ariella. (2014). The Benefit of Pets and Animal-Assisted Therapy to the Health of Older Individuals. Current gerontology and geriatrics research. 2014. 623203. 10.1155/2014/623203.
Program participants will be individuals that suffer from dementia and their caregiver.
The program will occur on scheduled days between the hours of 1:00 – 3:00 pm.
The sessions will last 30 – 40 minutes long and offered on an individual basis.
Participants MUST have a scheduled session to participate and sign a liability waiver prior to interacting with the animals.
Cat social rooms and adoption rooms will be utilized to facilitate the interaction between client and cat/s. The accompanying caregiver will be required to stay in the room with their client in order to maintain a safe environment for the cats and the client.
This program is only for dementia patients that are non-aggressive. If a participants becomes agitated/aggressive during a session, the session will end immediately and future visits may not be allowed.
There is no charge for a Memory Mews session. However, donations to the shelter are always appreciated.
To book a Memory Mews session please contact [email protected].
You will work with Katie, Community Programs Manager, to schedule a session with our wonderful cats.
