Leyland day centre welcomes robotic cats to aid dementia care
Electronic pets are helping visitors relax and engage in conversation
Leyland day centre has introduced robotic cats to its facility, aiming to enhance the wellbeing of individuals who visit, including those diagnosed with dementia.
The electronic cats, named Misty, Phyllis, and Ginge, mimic the behaviour of real cats by purring, meowing, and moving their limbs, offering comfort and sparking conversations among visitors.
Helen Delbridge, a care assistant at the centre, believes the robo-cats have a calming influence.
"The more you stroke them and the more you interact with them then the more you get back off them," Delbridge said. "Service users like that and they get a lot out of them."
Olive Wells, a visitor to the day centre, finds having a robotic cat soothing despite preferring dogs.
"I've got used to them now and I quite like them," Wells said. "I come in, sit down and I get a cat and I feel more secure because I've got somebody to talk to."
Tanya Ambrose, another care assistant at Leyland, noted the therapeutic benefits of the cats.
"If people are getting anxious then we ask if they'd like a cat and the next thing they're stroking it and you can just see them relaxing, so it does make a big difference to some people," Ambrose said. "One gentleman loves them and is so serene when he has one of the cats. He will have a quiet ten minutes sat with the cat and you can see him relaxed, it's lovely."
Councillor Tom Pickup, cabinet member for Adult Social Care, expressed the positive impact of robotic pets.
"Robotic pets are having a significant impact on people who attend the County Council's day centres and live in our care homes," Pickup said. "They are helping to improve wellbeing, create meaningful connections for people and bring moments of joy."