Caring staff at Cathcart and Winn veterinary centres in Surrey and Hampshire have introduced new practices and procedures to help\u202fanimal\u202flovers\u202fliving with\u202fdementia.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Vets, veterinary nurses and\u202fsupport\u202fstaff at\u202fLinnaeus-owned\u202fCathcart and Winn\u2019s animal hospital in Farnham and\u202fits\u202fveterinary centre in Aldershot have all been involved in preparing to deliver the innovative\u202fapproach to support clients\u202fliving\u202fwith\u202fthe many\u202fvarying symptoms of dementia.<\/p>\n
Cathcart and Winn\u2019s\u202fclient\u202fcare\u202fmanager Charlie Hart is implementing the initiative, which has been created by the Alzheimer\u2019s Society\u2019s Dementia Friends, and believes it will evolve and develop as staff learn from, and share, their experiences.<\/p>\n
Charlie said: \u201cAs a caring team, we want to provide the best service possible to all our clients and want everyone to feel supported and understood, so we have become Dementia Friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main aim of this initiative is to learn more about dementia and how it affects people to give us a better understanding to improve the client care we give.<\/p>\n
\u201cStaff have now completed several Dementia Friends online videos and information sessions focused on the impact dementia can have on people,\u202fand our aim is to take further steps to have a real and meaningful impact for people affected.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reception\u202fteam\u202fare our first point of contact with\u202fclients\u202fand we have had extensive discussions about how to welcome and support people with dementia.\u202fNew staff members also complete the Dementia Friends sessions and wear the charity-made badge based on small Forget-Me-Not flowers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u202fwill be making notes on accounts for owners who have requested to have printed receipts as standard,\u202fso they have a permanent record of dates and costs,\u202fand in situations where clients prefer to read items and amounts rather than discussing them verbally.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have also changed the way we complete some of our consultations, asking clients if they would like a summary on their pet\u2019s treatment and medication to be in written form for them to take home.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also offer calls or communication with family members, should the client want us to share this information with another person.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ongoing aim is to discuss our progress at regular practice meetings to see whether staff have found anything specifically helpful for clients or have learned any new information from relevant courses they have completed.
\n\u201cI\u2019m very keen and committed to support and guide them in these discussions and in determining any decisions made as a result.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll keep everyone informed of upcoming learning events to help with our continuous development and training with the most up to date information.
\n\u201cWe have set up an in-house \u2018Dementia Friends\u2019 noticeboard for internal learning and development to encourage team members to continue to develop their knowledge of how they can help and to inspire everyone to become Dementia Friends.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson from Dementia Friends said: \u201cToo many people affected by dementia feel that society fails to understand the condition they live with. Dementia Friends help by raising awareness and understanding so that people living with dementia can continue to live in the way they want.\u201d
\nTo find out more about Dementia Friends, visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n