NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE Teuntje Prins, a resident at River Ridge seniors residence, cuddles a robotic cat and responds to each meow it makes on Nov. 20, 2019. The purchase of a range of items to appeal to those with dementia was made possible through a fundraising effort by Avery Bowey (centre back row). Also pictured are LPN Jessie Rivest and director of care Helen Santer.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
A range of items that bring comfort and purpose to those with dementia have been introduced at River Ridge seniors’ residence thanks to a local fundraising project.
Teuntse Prins has a big smile on her face as she tenderly strokes a robotic cat and it responds with some purring. A short time later Prins is drawn back to the cat when it starts to meow.
This cat is one of several ageless companion pets that residents in the dementia wing at River Ridge enjoy.
Shari Bowey’s father has dementia and lives at River Ridge. She’d observed firsthand how much these “animals” bring comfort to him. When he is agitated it calms him down.
When her daughter Avery had a business project at school the mother and daughter duo produced purple T-shirts with the slogan: #dementia sucks – I wear purple for grandpa. Avery sold them for $17 each and raised $700.
A few brainstorming sessions with staff at River Ridge determined how the money should be spent. Two robotic cats and a puppy were purchased. A three-tiered cart on castors, already at the residence, was equipped with little tool boxes, some tools, mops and dusters. Shari says residents enjoy pushing the cart along the halls as if they are on a mission and have a purpose.
They also came up with the idea of activity boards mounted on a wall. Items on the board invite people to investigate. One has a wall-mounted old rotary dial telephone, a door lock, door chain, light switch, door knocker and even a steering wheel with a rear view mirror above it.
Placed at the end of a long hallway it is ideally situated to attract the attention of residents walking by.
Helen Santer, director of care, lifts the receiver of the telephone and tells a resident it is a call for them.
“I love dementia patients,” said Shari, noting there are plans to make another board specifically tailored to items that women will remember and enjoy.
Many of the staff at River Ridge were wearing the purple T-shirts by Avery on Wednesday, which also happened to be the facility’s Sugar Plum Fair.
