Robotic cats to aid dementia sessions

Rotarians are sponsoring robotic companion cats for Dementia Forward’s new Cafe in a Box therapy project.

“Robotic Cats run on batteries and are hugely realistic,” said a Rotary spokesman.

“They miaow, purr, lick their paws and bring a smile to everybody.

“They can become a real pet and companion to many Dementia sufferers.

“Research evidence indicates that the therapeutic value of the robotic cats can be more beneficial than drugs for certain Dementia Conditions.”

Dementia Forward’s Café in a Box is a substitute for the regular weekly café meetings and group activities for patients across North Yorkshire, held before COVID 19 to develop group social interaction and therapy in the treatment of Dementia.

The boxes will contain a variety of activities for single patients and carers to use in the home.

Contents include exercise support, soft bowling, colouring books, reminiscences books. Each box will also contain a few basic foods as a monthly treat.

The Rotary Companion Cats will only be included in boxes to be distributed to patients who have been clinically assessed to obtain maximum benefit form Robot Cat Therapy.

The Rotary spokesman added: “North Yorkshire County Council has carried out research on the value of these Robotic cats for Dementia Therapy, with positive results and are giving full support to this project.

“Knaresborough Rotary is grateful for the sponsorship provided by Timpson Shoe Repairs Ripon, providing an engraved Pet name tag for each cat and also to Vida Care Homes who were helpful in trialing the cats for research purposes.”