25 May 2018
Each year we support Dementia Awareness Week (4-10 June 2018), which focuses on making sure nobody faces dementia alone, with local events such as information sessions and 'tea and blether' opportunities across the Borders. Of course, this is just part of what we do; we also work hard to encourage early diagnosis and increase uptake of the post-diagnostic support that's available for patients and their families. This helps to ensure that our services fit the needs of the people of the Borders.
Recently we have been very pleased to announce Christine Proudfoot as our new Alzheimer's Scotland Dementia Nurse Consultant in the Borders. Christine commenced her career as a Staff Nurse in a ward caring for older adults with dementia at Dingleton Hospital over 20 years ago. Since then she has worked in a variety of clinical roles within mental health, including Senior Charge Nurse and Team Manager, with a focus on dementia care and services in the Scottish Borders. She has also worked with the Scottish Government to review the physical care of people with dementia in Specialist Dementia units across Scotland.
Speaking about her new role, Christine said: "I am excited about the role of Alzheimer's Scotland Dementia Nurse Consultant and look forward to working with staff and services to continue to improve our care of people with dementia. Our aim is always to make a real difference to our patients’ individual journeys."
Peter Lerpiniere, Associate Director of Nursing for Mental Health, Learning Disability & Older People, added: "We are delighted to welcome Christine into the post of Alzheimer's Scotland Dementia Nurse Consultant; she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will undoubtedly benefit our service. It's important to continually improve our service because as life expectancy increases, so do the number of diagnoses of dementia."
This week our dementia service celebrates and recognises a different member of the team's 10 years of service – Max, one of our 'Pets as Therapy' dogs (who are also known as PATs).
In 2008 Max was rescued from a local animal shelter and shortly afterwards was successfully registered as a PAT dog. Since then he has been a regular feature at GDU as well as occasionally visiting Firholm Day Unit in Peebles.
Lesley Elliott, Day Unit Coordinator at Galashiels Day Unit, told us: "Max provides a focus for people that are distressed, intuitively sitting quietly beside them and offering a head or nose to pet. We receive lots of positive feedback about Max including how homely he makes the place feel, the warm welcomes he gives people, how he reminds them about their own family pets and relieves stress."
For more information about local events for Dementia Awareness Week please visit: daw.alzscot.org
