Robot pets help care home dementia patients

Published 1 month ago• 1 minute read

speak to the animals and form emotional connections.

Staff say the robot animals, which mimic the sounds of dogs and cats and respond when petted, have helped to distract residents as they stay in one place for longer and are left visibly happy from these interactions.

Residents form emotional connections to the dogs

Facundo Arrizabalaga / MyLondon Female care home resident holds toy dog (left) while a man (right) pets a toy dog held — Residents form emotional connections to the dogs

Digital translators have also helped to improve the quality of life for residents who do not speak English, and it has helped address social isolation and improve connections with staff.

Manager Pauline Humphrey said the translators have helped to improve people's self-esteem and social interactions.

She said: "A lot of people with dementia will revert back to their original language because they forget the English-speaking; it can be really, really difficult to understand what people want and they can be socially isolated.

"You can also use the translator in group activities so residents can understand what's being asked and they can be a part of it so it's good for communicating with people."