Being easily agitated, depression, and anxiety are all common symptoms for those that suffer from dementia. For those that are in otherwise good health, but suffer from cognitive functioning loss, these things can be overwhelmingly difficult to navigate. Some senior care facilities specializing in memory care are finding unique ways to help reduce these mental health issues without turning to medications.
A care facility in New Rochelle is using robotic cats within their center, and the results have been incredibly positive. Caregivers and other professionals working within the facility have commented that it gives residents a new perspective on their lives, more meaning, and encourages them to be more active.
Some patients suffering from severe dementia do believe that these cats are real. Although this might seem strange, caregivers have commented that even in these cases, the patients are happier with the company of their robot cat than they were beforehand. Looking at it from this perspective makes it a much more beneficial act than doing nothing. If it is helping, then this or something similar might be worth considering in other cases.
The “cats” themselves are not what’s helping the patients that have been using them. All of the things that the cats help them with have. They encourage physical and mental activity, and these things have been shown to help slow down the spread of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. They might even be more effective than medications, according to some reports.
Medications can be very helpful in some cases, but they are not for everyone. This method of treatment provides an alleviation of some of these symptoms, and if they are helpful, they might help improve quality of life without needing to resort to meds.
Alzheimer’s disease is just one example of dementia. It is the most common type of dementia in the United States, but it’s not the only kind. With Alzheimer’s, a degeneration of physical functioning also occurs, but the cognitive side of things usually happens first, depending on the individual that is impacted. Having methods for dealing with the change in mental health that occurs is a must if you want your loved one to have a higher quality of life while they go through this ordeal. Memory care units, in-home care specialists that focus on those with dementia, and nursing homes need to have procedures in place, and sometimes these can be more effective than at others. It is something that needs to be addressed on an individual basis, and doctors and caregivers need to keep in mind that what works for some people does not necessarily work for everyone.
If you have an elderly loved one with dementia, finding the right care for them is a key part of living a happier and healthier life. There might not be a cure for some types of dementia, but that doesn’t mean that life can’t be made better. Little things like robotic cats can help. But remember, it’s not the cats that are important–it’s what they inspire in the people that we love that is.
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