Case Study -
Robot Pets for Dementia Patients

The cat will make gentle purring sounds and movements when it is stroked while the dog, modelled on a golden retriever puppy, will respond to touch by wagging its tail and giving a little bark. This interaction with the ‘pets’ can help to trigger memories and encourage conversation and they are now used widely in supporting people with dementia in a number of ways.

Julie Amphlett, one of Forget Me Not’s trustees, explains: ‘If someone is very agitated, they can sit and stroke one of the pets, which helps to calm them down. It really helps reduce anxiety levels. For those who tend to wander, the pets can also keep them grounded.’

On the Isle of Man, official figures show that 1,800 people have been diagnosed with dementia, with around 200 more awaiting diagnosis. Julie notes that obtaining a diagnosis can sometimes be a lengthy process, taking up to 12 months.

Forget Me Not was founded in 2018 by Julie, Gemma Wild, Fiona Kirkham, Natalie Radford, and Jane Holt. The charity raises funds to provide three Admiral Nurses for the island, covering their salaries and training costs. This ongoing support costs the charity £150,000 annually.

Looking after a person with dementia at home puts a tremendous burden on their carer. Admiral Nurses specialise in dementia care and are there to provide assistance when needed. They have the time to listen and the expertise to address problems.

This support can help people living with dementia maintain their independence and stay in their own homes for longer.

The island’s first Admiral Nurse, Jeanette Hogg, was recruited by Forget Me Not in 2020. She was followed by Chris Kilford and Pauline Pritchard who make up the team. They are based at Hospice Isle of Man but generally see patients in their own homes.

They are typically involved from mid to late stage dementia but can be contacted earlier for more complicated cases.

Julie explains that Forget Me Not initially considered basing the Admiral Nurses with Manx Care but ultimately found that partnering with Hospice, which already collaborates with other charities, was a better fit. Currently, two dementia patients who have been supported by the Admiral nurse are receiving end-of-life care at Hospice.

The robot pets purchased by the Trust will add to the stock the charity has already bought and the Admiral Nurses have seen for themselves the beneficial effect they can have.

Jeanette says: ‘I’ve got one lady who was very, very non-communicative and she’s having whole conversations with her pet.’

She adds that the pets can also help as a familiar object for patients to hang on to when they are making what can be quite a traumatic move from home to a residential care facility.

The pets are given to patients on a long term loan basis. When the patient is no longer using them they will be fully cleaned and spruced up and passed on to someone else who can benefit from them.