Robotic Pets Are Helping To Alleviate Stress And Anxiety In Care Home Dementia Patients

A care home in the UK has introduced robotic pets to its elderly residents. Residents at Pennystone Court Care Home in Blackpool, Lancashire have benefitted from the four cats and one dog as a simple way to bring pets into their home. Designed to feel and sound like real animals, the cats emit soft purrs and meows while the dogs wag, snuggle and produce a soothing heartbeat which can help soothe patients with dementia and access happy memories of pet ownership. Peer-reviewed studies have shown that robotic animals, which respond to petting, hugging and motion in a lifelike way, can alleviate loneliness, especially among older people.