Delightful robotic cats are being used to comfort dementia patients and in some cases make them feel less isolated.
One person who has benefited enormously from the scheme is Doreen, from Cambridgeshire in the UK. Doreen has vascular dementia and lives alone with the support of carers. Her daughter usually visits regularly but has been “locked down” during the Covid-19 crisis and has been unable to see her mother.
Cameras set up within the home showed Doreen looking increasingly lonely and isolated, spending much of her time staring out of the window.
Her daughter spoke to an occupational therapist who told her about the work of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Technology Enabled Care team and how they could provide robotic cats to help patients feel less lonely. As Doreen loved cats it was felt this might help her.
Doreen loves her cat which has had a positive impact on her life.
Councillor Anna Bailey said: “It may seem a small thing to many of us, but it’s wonderful to see how technology like these robotic cats can be used to enhance someone’s life so much, especially as many people are feeling isolated as a result of Covid-19."
The robotic cat is sold by an American company. It’s a battery-powered cuddly toy that purrs, meows and moves. It also responds to touch when it is petted and hugged.
It has helped patients feel a sense of purpose when they pet and cuddle the cat. It helps encourage a sense of empowerment, companionship and enjoyment.
* * * * * * *
If you are a cat lover - especially a lover of the grumpier members of the species, this is the book for you. Written by Toffee who, despite her name, is the least sweet cat you can imagine. The world according to Toffee exists to serve her and woe betide anyone who forgets it. Paperback on left, Kindle version on right.Follow That's Purrfect on: Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram
*Take a look at The Best Cat Products In The World. You'll love them!
Never miss a funny picture, mad video or hot cat news. Subscribe to That's Purrfect and we'll email you every time the website is updated. All you have to do is pop your email address in the 'subscribe' form in the panel below.
This is a brilliant idea. My mom had vascular dementia and she would have liked this.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThat is a sweet idea.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom lived in a memory care unit for a couple years - and the cat they had in the unit gave her quality of life that us humans couldn't.
ReplyDeleteI like this. It's reminding me of stuffed animals giving comfort to orphaned baby critters. And my favorite comfort as a child (outside books) was that very thing. :)
ReplyDeleteObviously not as good as a real one, but good in certain situations.
ReplyDelete