It’s easy to feel lonely these days – especially when you’re getting older and aren’t as able to get out and meet new people.
Life in a care home can be an isolating experience.
To combat loneliness and provide comfort to their elderly residents, care home Kenwith Castle has taken an unusual approach: The introduction of robot horses and dogs.
KC the dog and Keno the pony react to care, making noises when stroked.
They can help provide mental stimulation, companionship, and comfort to residents, particularly those with dementia, who may struggle to connect with other people.
A robot animal won’t judge or react in a concerning way, and they don’t need the care a live pet would, which is why they’re such a good source of stress-reduction for the elderly.
The home does also work with live therapy animals who visit, but the KC and Keno are able to hang out in the lounges for as long as residents need; giving them a feeling of being at home.
Kenwith Castle only introduced the pets six months ago, but they’ve already proved a huge hit with the residents, who love giving KC a stroke and brushing Keno’s mane.
Rae Vanstone, home matron at Kenwith Castle, said: ‘They engage with KC, our dog, and Keno the pony, and can often be found petting and soothing them when they make noises.
‘One resident’s family has bought their own robotic dog which they keep in their room and is very real to them.
‘We often have live therapy animals coming into the home too which can be really effective.
‘Having the robotic pets means we can use them at all times of day and for longer periods.’
Susan Willoughby, chief executive at Care South, said: ‘At Care South, we are continually looking at ways to embrace technology, and evolve and enhance the care we provide to our residents offering the best quality care to help them feel relaxed and importantly, at home.
‘We have been very impressed with the results we have seen so far with the introduction of the robotic pets at Kenwith Castle and we are keen to see how this develops in our other homes.’
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