Larchwood Care

Meet the Robo-cat helping Morpeth care home residents with dementia

11/03/2024

Riverside House Care Home in Morpeth has unveiled its latest therapeutic companion, a robotic cat named Marmalade, which has already leapt into the hearts of residents.

Marmalade is an animatronic cat that looks, feels and sounds like a real cat, with soft fur, soothing purrs and pleasant meows. Designed to provide comfort to those living with dementia, Marmalade responds to petting, hugging and motion much like a real-life cat would thanks to a network of sensors and its VibaPurr technology which provides sound and vibration to replicate a real cat’s purr.

The robotic feline allows Riverside’s residents to flexibly enjoy elements of pet therapy, which has been proven to provide wellbeing benefits and calm those with dementia.

Richard Dobinson, Activities Coordinator at Riverside House said, "Our residents have always cherished the calming influence of animals. Now, with Marmalade, we're merging cutting-edge technology with the therapeutic benefits of pet therapy. It's an exciting development that we believe will bring immeasurable joy and comfort to our residents. And the fact it doesn’t cost anything for cat food is an added bonus!"

The introduction of Marmalade not only aligns with Riverside House's commitment to person-centred care but also elevates the benefits of pet therapy through technological innovation.

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

CONTACT: Joss Havakin on 01325 363436

Notes to editors:

Healthcare Management Solutions provides care home operators, owners, banks, financiers and insolvency practitioners with management, support, monitoring, business review and quality audit for the assets they are involved with in the care home sector.

http://www.hcsolutions.co.uk

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Riverside House residents Sheila Grey and Phyllis Gree, with the home's activities coordinator Richard Dobinson and Marmalade
Riverside House residents Sheila Grey and Phyllis Gree, with the home's activities coordinator Richard Dobinson and Marmalade
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