Joy For All Silver Cat
The Joy For All silver cat look, feel, and sound like the real thing. The silver kitty responds to petting and motion much like the cats you know and love.
This two-way interaction helps create experiences that can bring fun, joy, and friendship to an older adult in your life.
Silver Cat Companion Pet
Benefits Of Stuffed And Robotic Pets For Dementia And Alzheimers
Family members may be surprised to learn about the many benefits that a stuffed or robotic pet can provide for their older adults with medical conditions related to dementia or Alzheimers disease.
Increased food intake: Its common for seniors in the late stages of alzheimer and dementia to lose weight. In fact, weight loss is so common in individuals with AD that it is listed as a symptom consistent with the diagnosis by the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke/Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders Association Work Group, according to a study by McKhann et al., in 1984.
It is thought that this weight loss comes from several factors:
- Forgetting to eat
- Repetitive activities
However, in a 2002 study by Edwards and Beck at Purdue University, researchers found that when fish aquariums were viewed by Alzheimers and dementia patients on a daily basis for two weeks, and then switched to a weekly basis for six weeks, the patients gained an average of 1.65 pounds, and required less nutritional supplementation.
Reduced need for psychoactive medications and pain medications: A 2017 study by Petersen et al., on how stuffed and robotic pets helped with behavioral care in five dementia care units showed
The study concluded that, The treatment group improved and maintained improvements in GSV, pulse oximetry, and pulse-rate over time.
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If youre experiencing memory loss, you should go to a doctor. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. He or she will also ask you about your medication and any stress youre experiencing. After the exam, he or she will likely ask you to make an appointment with a neuropsychologist. If youre unable to recall the details of your doctor, you may want to consult another healthcare provider.
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Welcome To Memorable Pets And Believable Babies
The Three of Us in 2010 Mom in the 1950’s, Washington, DC
We are sisters who are passionate about making a difference in people’s lives who are living with dementia and Alzheimers disease.
Our mother, Betty Dickson, passed away on February 15, 2011 from Alzheimers disease at the age of 88. Caldonia, her Memorable Pet, was deeply loved by her and was in her arms when she passed. In our mothers honor, and with an effort to help improve the lives of people with Alzheimers and age-related dementia, we founded our company, Memorable Pets, LLC. Stuffed animals and baby dolls for Alzheimers patients is proven to be an enormous benefit for those in mid-late stages of the disease where age-related regression occurs.
Can A Stuffed Animal Help Your Loved One With Dementia
Posted on May 28, 2019 by SIS Digital
If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, you may have struggled with finding ways to keep them calm and engaged. Have you ever considered a stuffed animal?
Dont be too quick to dismiss the idea. Stuffed animals arent just for kids. People of all ages can find joy and comfort in stuffed animals, but those with dementia may be in a position to benefit from them a little more than most.
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A Toy Pet May Ease Anxiety In People With Alzheimers
Anyone who has ever loved a pet knows how comforting a furry companion can be. And specially trained therapy pets are an increasingly common sight at nursing homes and hospitals, where studies have shown they may ease anxiety and boost mood among patients.
But for someone with Alzheimers disease, caring for a pet can be an unrealistic responsibility, particularly in the advanced stages of the illness. Furthermore, animal therapy is not widely available for frequent visits.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University suggests a more practical alternative. It found that a furry, interactive robotic pet improved mood and boosted cognition among people with Alzheimers disease who were attending an adult day care center. The study was small, but it underscores the critical importance that pets can play in improving our daily lives.
Depression, anxiety and aggression are common problems in people with Alzheimers disease. Often these symptoms are treated with potent antipsychotics, sedatives and antidepressant drugs, which can have debilitating, and even dangerous, side effects. Such adverse effects might lead, for example, to an increased risk of falls and, in the worst cases, a premature death.
The researchers met with study participants individually and in groups over the course of 12 visits, where they observed interactions between the people with Alzheimers and their pets.
Toys Should Be Comforting And Meaningful
Ray Burow of AlzheimersNewsToday.com acknowledges the view that gifts like stuffed animals for seniors with dementia should be comforting and meaningful in everyday life.
Burow adds that it’s vital to remember that the preferences of people with dementia may change. This implies that something they may have liked before may no longer be appropriate. He suggests that you should avoid getting gifts that may remind the seniors of what they have lost.
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Stuffed Animals Arent Just For Children Anymore
JoyForAll Companion Pup
JoyForAll
I just learned there is a bell-shaped curve on the age of adoption of stuffed animals. The young have always loved them and now people on the older end of the age spectrum are adopting them as well.
Many older adults continue to have cherished live petsin single family home and in retirement communities. In fact, in recent years, most retirement communities, including assisted independent living, have dramatically loosened the restrictions on pets. Where restrictions used to limit pet residents to a single pet and less than 30 pounds, I now see larger dogs and multiple dogs and cats in one unit.
I think thats all good. There is little remaining doubt that a companion animal is terrific for so many aspects of retirement. They require regular exercise , feeding, and health care, all of which add structure, meaning, and purpose to an older adults life. However, circumstances sometimes change in the life of a senior and they may reach a point where a live animal is just too much to manage, physically and/or mentally.
The Importance Of Stuffed Animals In Memory Care
Alzheimers disease is tragic.
It is also increasingly common. According to the Alzheimers Association, COVID led to a 17 percent increase in Alzheimers deaths. Presently, more than 6 million Americans have the disease. My grandmother, Amy Shimkus, was one of those 6 million patients. She struggled with the disease for the past decade and passed last month. During her time at a memory care facility, Shimkus found a lot of solace in a popular tool in memory care facilities: stuffed animals.Stuffed animals are very common for us, along with baby dolls, Carl Picioccio an Alzheimers engagement coach at the Welsey Community said. They offer our folks with dementia a tactile sensory engagement. They also have a lot of reminiscent value.According to Picioccio, having a stuffed animal or doll brings back positive memories for dementia patients. If the patient had a positive relationship with a pet prior to their injuries, the stuffed animals can ease anxiety and boost a patients mood.
Amy Shimkus holds her dog, RBI, on a walk with family members.
Family members would frequently find food stuck in the fur of her stuffed animals suggesting she had been trying to feed them. It spoke to many of us as a relic of her giving nature. It also shows how the disease had anthropomorphized the stuffed animals in her mind.
In my grandmothers memory, the family has started a stuffed animal donation drive in her memory.
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Realistic Robotic Pets For Dementia Patients
There are several kinds of stuffed and lifelike robotic pets on the market today . Some of the larger and more innovative companies are Tombot, Joy for All , Aibo, and Zoomer.
Read on to get more details on some of the most popular pet types and the companies that make them, as well as an overview of the robots capabilities.
The Mission Of Memorable Pets Is Simple:
Educate + Service = Value + Pay Forward = Memorable Pets, llc
- To educate people and the caregiver community on the benefits of a transitional companion, such as a Memorable Pet or a Believable Baby for people with mid-late stages of Alzheimer’s disease where age-related regression occurs.
- To educate on how we can assist in communication with other family members, i.e. a grandchild with Buddy Pets.
- To provide adult appropriate realistic looking, plush stuffed animal pets and baby dolls for their transitional, loving, comfort and nurturing therapeutic benefits.
- To provide excellent service and value to its customers and communities with on time delivery and customer satisfaction in all aspects of its business.
- To insure long lasting professional and family relationships for continued support.
- To support the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and to support Alzheimer’s care and research!
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Options For Dog And Cat Lovers Alike
If youre considering a robotic pet for your loved one, weve compiled some options for toy pets for dementia patients to help you get started. Our list progresses from simple but snuggly stuffed animals to more sophisticated robotic pets for dementia patients.
Bocchetta Plush Toys: This lines comfort collection was designed with emotional support in mind. Each of the 10 dogs is lying down, ideal for a place of honor on a seniors lap or bed. The toy pets for dementia patients and other seniors can be converted to weighted toys for an added sensory calming effect. Smaller versions are available, as is a collection of kittens, many of which are also well suited as lap companions.
Petsies: If your loved one is desperately missing a beloved companion, a stuffed animal in its likeness may be a welcome substitute. While not exact replicas, Petsies are handcrafted to mimic a photograph of their living counterpart as closely as possible. Stuffed versions are available for virtually any kind of pet, including dogs, cats, horses, birds, and more.
Like the canine version, snuggly kittens breathe continuously once activated, and they come curled up and ready for a snuggle or some loving strokes. Choose from black and white, calico, and orange tabby standard-size kittens, each with its own pet bed, collar, and brush. The orange tabby is also available as a palm-size mini.
Joy For All Hasbro Ageless Lifelike Toy Cat
Those seniors who have always lived among cats and like them more than dogs should love the Ageless Innovation companion cat from Joy for All.
You can select from a variety of cats for your senior, among them a silver cat with white mitts, an orange tabby, a creamy white kitty, and a black and white one.
The companion pets from Joy for All took home prizes in 2016 and 2017 for caregiver innovation.
Its no wonder these robotic animals have been featured on BBC Radio, CBS, and in the Baltimore Sun, People Magazine, and the New York Times.
The Ageless Innovation cat has sensors throughout that allow it to react when your senior hugs or pets it. Joy for All also added VibraPurr technology to mimic the most realistic purring youll hear. Your senior can even brush the fur of this robotic cat, as it looks and feels amazingly lifelike.
Joy for Alls Ageless Innovation companion cat can do things like move its body and head, open and close its mouth and eyes, and raise a paw.
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Why It May Help
If youre a pet person, youre well aware of the calming, grounding effect that an animal can have, especially one you enjoy a close bond with. Have you ever come home from a stressful day at work and felt some of that stress melt away when your dog came bounding to the door to meet you? Or maybe youve felt your tension ease a bit at the sound of your cats rhythmic purr as she rubbed her head contentedly on your hand.
People with dementia can feel agitated or anxious at times, and some of the calming benefits of spending time with a pet can also be experienced with stuffed animals. Stuffed animals have the added benefit that they dont pose safety issues, such as tripping over them, and your loved one can keep them by their side all the time if thats what they want.
A stuffed animal can also give your loved one a chance to nurture and care for something else, which stimulates positive emotions and can increase overall happiness. If the animal reminds them of one of their own beloved pets, it may be especially appealing.
An added benefit that you may experience is that a stuffed animal can create opportunities for interaction with your loved one and enable you to connect on a more meaningful level as you engage in conversations that involve the animal.
Doll & Pet Therapy For Dementia
Alzheimer’s doll and pet therapy is a known resource in helping those with Dementia. Using a Robotic Pet or a Baby Doll can be a very effective way for a person with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia to decrease stress and agitation. A caregiver can use doll therapy for dementia patients as a way to put responsibility, caring and structure back into the lives of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Working with a realistic doll or pet has to be introduced to those with Alzheimer’s very carefully. A doll, dog or cat can be seen as a welcoming gift that reminds them of their youth or the recipient can fear the therapy doll as an unwanted responsibility.
From experience, introducing doll therapy in a controlled atmosphere by allowing the patient to take responsibility rather than giving them the doll to play with, can bring structure to their lives. The dolls and pets can help a person who is not verbalizing to initiate speech again. It is part of the basic thought process to speak, hum or sing to a baby in your arms or a pet on your lap. The therapy dolls can have its clothes washed, folded and put away and then dressed the next day while the pups and kittens need to be pet, brushed and looked after.
A baby doll and animated pet can
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Comforting Care For Your Loved One
Our memory care community at Springpoint Living at Manalapan is a place where you can be confident your loved one is safe and secure. Our person-centered approach means were continually finding ways to enrich our residents lives and bring them joy, whether its simulating animal affection with toy pets for dementia patients or exploring other emerging opportunities that make each day as bright as possible. Arrange a visit to meet with our caring staff and learn more about our exclusive memory care program and how we can serve your loved ones needs.
Comfort Companion Alzheimer’s + Dementia Therapy Pets
Finding the perfect gift for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s can be challenging. Fathers Day, Mothers Day, Christmas, Birthdays, or just any day to add some cheer our Comfort Companion Therapy Pets are perfect for any occasion! Comfort Companion was created to address the comfort and care of those with Alzheimers and other forms of dementia. Many seniors living with memory related conditions such as dementia, stroke, Alzheimer’s and Aphasia benefit from Doll & Pet Therapy. Not only do Comfort Companions offer a soothing friend to spend time with, they incorporate subtle scent and encourage engagement through colorful elements, pockets for keepsakes and textures to keep hands busy!
- Vanilla scent soothes the senses
Comfort Companion Bo BeagleComfort Companion Toby Tabby Cat
- Vanilla scent soothes the senses
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A doctor will perform a physical exam to evaluate your mental processes. He or she will also ask you about any medications youre currently taking and any stressful situations youre facing. Your memory loss provider may also ask you about your symptoms and ask you to take notes on how youre feeling. The doctor may recommend that you get an appointment with a neuropsychologist. A neuropsychologist can help you figure out the best way to treat your memory loss.
A doctor will conduct a physical exam to determine the exact cause of your memory loss. He or she will also ask you about your medical history and whether youve experienced other forms of memory loss. After your medical history, your provider will discuss your options for treatment. If youre experiencing severe symptoms of memory loss, you should seek out a professional. It will help you get the right kind of care for your specific situation. So, take action today.
A healthcare provider will perform a physical exam to assess the condition of your memory. He or she will ask you about your family and friends and any medications youre taking. Once he or she has established the root cause, a proper treatment will be given. If you have a mild form of memory loss, you can still function independently and perform everyday tasks. If your symptoms are more severe, you may need to see a medical professional.