Many of our home care clients in Toronto suffer from memory loss, and some have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. One of the common symptoms is agitation. Often, the presence of an experienced Personal Support Worker (PSW) can help relieve these moments. In addition to the presence of a caregiver, we have been discussing with families the benefits of a robotic therapy pet for their loved one – especially if they have previously owned a cat or dog.

These pet companions are designed to bring comfort, ease, and fun to seniors experiencing dementia. With realistic fur, and pet-like sounds, they respond to petting and hugs with familiar pet-like responses. Cats are most commonly purchased, but dogs are available too.

We have observed that therapy pets have a remarkable effect on middle and late stage Alzheimer’s disease. They are calming, soothing, and bring the person back to a time in their life when they may have had their own pet, or enjoyed a neighbor’s cat or dog, for example.

The term “sundowning” refers to a state of confusion occurring in the late afternoon and spanning into the night. It is often experienced by patients with dementia. Sundowning can cause a variety of behaviors, such as confusion, anxiety, aggression or ignoring directions. Sundowning can also lead to pacing or wandering. A robotic pet can provide a distraction that helps ameliorate these behaviours.

It has long been established that pet therapy is emotionally beneficial for people suffering from memory loss, and other conditions. We often see therapy dogs with their St. John’s Ambulance bandana perusing retirement home lounges looking for unsuspected seniors to give love and attention. Robotic pets have similar positive effects without the care, walking, and feeding of a real pet.

Research conducted in 2016 at the University of Texas, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, found pulse rate, pain medication and psychoactive medication use were all decreased with the use of robotic pets.

More than 80% of individuals with dementia suffer depression and 77% suffer from anxiety. These problems often result in hospitalization, increased use of medication and diminished quality of life for both caregivers and patients. Pet therapy helps stimulate older adults, and reduce anxiety.

Robotic pets eliminate the potential negative effects of animals to human beings such as allergies, bites, scratches, or even fear of the animals involved in therapy.

Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs has been donating robotic pets to adults with Alzheimer’s disease during the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim of this program is to give people a sense of well-being during Florida’s stay-home orders and social distancing requirements.

Ageless Innovation is a supplier of robotic pets. The company has partnered with some jurisdictions to provide its “Joy for All” robotic companion pets (which were originally designed and launched by Hasbro). Our client’s have been able to find several online retailers with stock available.

If you have a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, feel free to call us for advice on how to help them live their best life possible

Image By TheCozyCoffee