My mother has Alzheimer's and I just got her one of those robotic cats.

[femmedem]

Last edited Sat Dec 21, 2019, 06:20 PM - Edit history (1)

I wasn't sure if she would think it was real or know it was a make-believe cat, but my sister sent me a video of her petting the cat (I live on the other side of the country) and she looked so loving and happy. And this evening, when I spoke with her, she told me how much personality the cat has, what a darling it is and how it likes everybody and isn't skittish. It's the first conversation we've had in a long time where she did most of the talking.

I think it's the best gift I've ever given her.

Edited to add: I never dreamed that my post would draw attention outside of the elder-caregivers group. I'm so glad I posted and let more people know about them.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. That is so sweet!

[Freedomofspeech]

2. How wonderful!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. They are using robot cats in nursing homes.

[dewsgirl]

7. That is neat, I thought when i read the op it was one of those

robotic cats. How very sweet.❤

[femmedem]

8. That is exactly the model I got for her. n/t

[catbyte]

46. When it started purring I felt my heart slowing down. What a great idea.

My grandmother had Alzheimer's and she'd be okay during the day but would get very agitated at night. She always had cats and I'll bet this would've really helped her.

[Trueblue Texan]

79. I was watching the video...

...and when the kitty meowed, my dog got up off his lazy arse and had to investigate! Ehehheheh

[Alliepoo]

4. And your sweet conversation with your Mom

Has to be a wonderful gift for you!! What a nice thing you did for your Mom!! I’m glad she is loving her new kitty!! That’s just precious!

[femmedem]

23. Thank you. Yes, I can't stop smiling.

Sometime our conversations are a little strained because she doesn't have much to say, but she was so animated tonight talking about her new cat.

[packman]

5. Damn, that's nice

When my Mother-in-law was in a nursing home they had two cats - named Xanax and Benzo- who would make their rounds every day to every patient. Every once in a while, you'd see them cuddled up and an elderly patients lap. The nurses said they were the best therapy for the patients and wished they could have more in the facility.

[femmedem]

10. That's so sweet!

My mother lives in an assisted living facility several miles from my sister's house. My sister brings a parrot for visits several times a week. My mother has lost a lot of memories--for example, she doesn't remember that dad died a year and a half ago--but I don't think she will ever lose her love for animals.

[maddiemom]

58. My mom's nursing home had both a cat and a fairly large dog roaming aound freely.

The residents and staff loved them and they didn't "bother" patients whose curtains were drawn around the bed.

[babylonsister]

6. Lovely! So happy for you. xo nt

[femmedem]

12. Thank you, babylonsister.

I would share a video of my mom petting the robotic cat except I don't want to violate her privacy. But it is so heartwarming.

[blm]

9. Awwww

[hlthe2b]

11. I hadn't heard of these so I googled to find this video. How wonderful!

[femmedem]

13. I only learned about them recently, so that's why I wanted to spread the word.

It was about $100 which is out of reach for a lot of people, but if you have the money it brings great joy to someone with dementia.

[3Hotdogs]

14. Dolls are also well received in memory units.

[femmedem]

17. That makes sense. Maybe later I'll get her a doll, too, down the road.

She often talked about how much she loved having babies.

[RGinNJ]

32. We gave my mom a realistic doll and she just loved it.

[Shoonra]

15. I would appreciate information on how to buy ....

Does anyone know who sells these robotic cats and how I can purchase one??

[femmedem]

19. Google Ageless Innovation Joy for All companion pets.

They have their own website and are also available via Amazon. They have a robotic dog, too.

[Grasswire2]

62. my local Kroger pharmacy has the cats on their shelf.

I thought about getting one for my kitty, who had multiple litters before coming to me and being neutered and who misses them, I think.

[dhill926]

16. yep, I just got back from flying out to visit....

my Mom. Nothing like seeing their face light up. In my case, it was bringing her some Christmas cookies...

[femmedem]

22. Aw. Glad you were able to visit and see her smile. Cookies just say love, don't they? n/t

[Omaha Steve]

18. K&R!

From a DUer with dementia.

OS

[femmedem]

20. I'm always happy to see you posting, Omaha Steve.

Last edited Fri Dec 20, 2019, 11:21 PM - Edit history (1)

You've been one of my favorite DUers for years, and I've appreciated your being so open about having dementia ever since you first started talking about it here. I see some signs of it encroaching in myself, so you give me hope.

[Omaha Steve]

69. Take care of yourself

[Mickju]

21. That is really touching

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

24. Wow, I had no idea that robotic cats existed.

I have already told my son (and mentioned it again earlier this evening when we spoke) that if he ever has to put me in a nursing home be sure to find one with resident cats. By the time I was three years old I was dragging home stray cats, making my mother, who did not like cats, quite crazy. I can't imagine I could get so senile I wouldn't still love cats.

Hopefully, I will get to choose my own nursing home, but son has been told.

Right now I have no cats because my life is such that it would be completely irresponsible of me to have even a potted plant. Well, a friend did give me a poinsettia last week, and I will do my best to keep it alive as long as possible, but I travel a lot, and have two two week long trips coming up in the spring, so unless my neighbor is willing to adopt the poinsettia, that may be the end for it.

Of course to me, those cats don't look quite real, but it clearly doesn't matter to the residents, which is the most important thing.

[Karadeniz]

25. This is WONDERFUL! Maybe they can make more varieties...did you hear one resident comment

That two cats must be twins! And with bodies not so rigid...
And eyes that close when purring...the company needs to hire me for product development!!!

[femmedem]

41. I'd change the meow, too. But it doesn't seem to matter to the people for whom they're designed.

I think that says a lot about how deep our need is for connection, nurturing and touch right up to the end of our lives.

[catbyte]

44. +1000

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

54. I'd make them heavier. These weigh only about 4 lbs.

Real cats typically weigh at least 8-10 lbs, so the sensation of weight would add to the realism. But maybe it doesn't matter; the softness and purring are probably enough. Both the concept and the execution are brilliant and I'm glad to see these robocats are giving people some joy in situations where there might not be much of it. If I had a lot of money I'd buy a bunch of them and donate them to memory care homes.

[TrollBuster9090]

26. Ditto for us.

My mother in law has alzheimer's, and my wife bought her one of those robotic cats, too. It was very cute the way she would play with it, and...cutest of all...when she was watching TV she'd position the cat on her lap so it could watch TV too. <3

[femmedem]

29. That's so good to hear.

Not that she has Alzheimer's, of course, but that the robotic cat is helping her as well. It helps them connect to their best, most nurturing selves, I think.

[TrollBuster9090]

51. It was very sweet to watch. Heartbreaking, too, of course.

[iluvtennis]

27. So, sweet.

[RestoreAmerica2020]

28. How sweet. Thanks for sharing.

Paz

[dflprincess]

30. These just came up in a meeting at work

apparently there's enough evidence that the robotic pets are so helpful for people with dementia that either Medicare or MSHO (the Minnesota program for low income seniors) will pay for them. I'm sorry I can't remember which program will pay. As of now though, they will only pay for 1 "pet" in a lifetime so if it needs to be replaced, it's out of pocket.

Just like a living pet, they can calm the individual, give them something to focus on and to interact with.

[femmedem]

35. Wow, I didn't know that!

That's fantastic that there's financial assistance for buying them.

[tosh]

31. Wow, my mom had Alzheimer's so I can just picture this.

It truly makes me smile 😊.

You are right, this is the best gift ever!

Thanks for sharing this story...now I’m crying... but it’s a kind of happy crying.

[femmedem]

37. I understand. I was tearing up watching the video of my mother petting it.

I had no idea my OP would touch so many people. I thought it might help a few people in the elder care group; didn't expect it to go to the greatest page. It goes to show you how many people have or have had loved ones with dementia--and how beautiful it is to see that loved one be able to express love and feel touch, even with a robot.

[Dem2theMax]

33. Thank you so much for sharing this.

I am so glad it has helped your mom. I live in an over 55 community, and I know so many people who have Dementia. One woman in particular has an absolute love of animals. I am going to check into getting one of these for her.

[femmedem]

34. I hope it brings her as much happiness as it brings my mother.

It might depend on what level of dementia she has, but even if she doesn't think it's real, you could tell her it's like a pillow but shaped like a cat, since she likes cats so much. It's also possible to mute them.

[Dem2theMax]

36. She's a dog person. I just went to the website

and they have a golden retriever puppy. Their last dog was a golden retriever. I'm going to talk to her husband and see what he thinks. If he thinks it will help, I'm buying it for them.

Their next door neighbor has a small dog, and I know he lets the dog go over to visit her. This might be an absolutely ideal gift for her. I cannot wait to call her husband tomorrow and ask him.

[femmedem]

38. It sounds perfect!

That golden retriever puppy robot is really well done. I almost got it for my mother because she's always loved both dogs and cats.

[Dem2theMax]

39. I am just so happy you posted this!

I never knew these things existed. I would love to put some money away every month, and just keep buying these dogs and cats and donating them to people who need them.

[catbyte]

42. That's so thoughtful of you! Please let us know what happens.

[Dem2theMax]

48. I absolutely will do so!

[catbyte]

40. That brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful gift.

[femmedem]

43. The last time I visited her, I played a lot of the videos you post on DU for her.

She really enjoyed them.

[catbyte]

47. Oh, that's wonderful to hear. I'm so glad that she enjoyed them.

Thanks so much for letting me know--it means a lot.

[Maraya1969]

45. So sweet! I'm so glad you did this for her.

[crickets]

49. Oh how sweet. I am so happy for both of you that you found this source of comfort for your mother.

It's a wonderful idea to spread to others as well. Thank you for sharing this.

[dawg day]

50. The problem with real cats...

They are perverse
I've fed this one for years and he still disdains me.

[demosincebirth]

52. doggies will always love you.

[keithbvadu2]

68. When the owners come home...

dog bounces by the front door: oh, boy! oh, boy! oh, boy! they're home.

cat laying on the couch: who's that?

I like cats because they are independent.

I like dogs because they are loyal.

---------------------------

This articles is headed out to the email list.

[demosincebirth]

71. +1000

[FM123]

53. Wow, wonderful gift that keeps on giving.

[deek]

55. Thank you for posting!

My friend's mother will love the dog version!

[RazBerryBeret]

56. I LOVE this!

I've been stewing on what to get my mom (dementia and in assisted living) and this may be the perfect thing! I've never heard of these, but the videos look like it would be perfect for her. Thank you so much for posting!!

[femmedem]

59. You're welcome and I hope it brings her great joy.

[RazBerryBeret]

72. Best Gift Ever!!

my mom opened the box, saw her cat and was so excited! What a wonderful gift! she actually cried!
Thank you for sharing your story!!

[femmedem]

75. Oh, I'm so happy for her!

That's beautiful. Thanks for letting me know!

[lettucebe]

57. My mother also has advanced Alzheimer's and adores her cats

I purchased one for her about three years ago and she fell in love immediately. Pets it and talks to it all day long. You can turn off the mewing (it does get annoying) but the cat still purrs -- and strangely rolls back which caused issues at first because it would get stuck like that. It can also be turned off, but I like the purring and the slight movements.

Mom no longer lives with me, so recently I thought her cat was looking a little "ratty" so I bought her a new one. When I brought it, the older cat looked like new (so must have had a bath), so now she has her kitty and her roommate (another lovely lady) also has one. They all love the cats.

Originally I bought her a realistic baby doll that moved and made noises. At the time (3-yrs ago) she was mildly anxious because she thought it needed feeding, or worried about it, so I decided that wasn't a great fit. Just depends on the person, so give it a try. So worth it to bring her some happiness and unconditional love

[femmedem]

60. I'm so happy to hear that it continues to bring your mother happiness

and gives her something to nurture. And for us adult children, it keeps visible our parents' loving natures.

[highplainsdem]

61. I did for my mom, too, a few years ago. She loved it, and it was a hit with everyone who saw it at

the nursing home. The Alzheimer's ward immediately got another one, and I was asked dozens of times by residents elsewhere in the nursing home, who didn't have Alzheimer's, and by their families, where they could get a robot cat. Children visiting the nursing home loved it, too.

https://www.amazon.com/Innovation-Companion-Lifelike-Realistic-Companionship/dp/B017JQQ01A

[femmedem]

65. This is wonderful to hear.

I'm glad that they are making such a difference to people in memory care, and your experience is reassuring me that this will continue to bring happiness and comfort to my mother; that the novelty won't wear off.

[Demovictory9]

63. nice

[DesertRat]

64. Thank you for sharing.

This is the first I heard of these robotic cats. The videos are heartwarming.

[AllyCat]

66. We just ordered one for my mom on your rec.

[femmedem]

67. Please let me know how she likes it!

I haven't heard any stories of people not appreciating them. I don't know how advanced your mother's Alzheimer's or dementia is, but if she doesn't think it's a cat, you could call it a pillow that looks like a cat. That is actually what my sister told my mother, but my mother didn't pay attention to that. Within a few minutes she was positioning it on her lap to make the cat more comfortable. And by the first evening, she told me she'd had the cat for days, that it was six months old, that it has the run of the house but doesn't run very much, which she appreciates, and that she wasn't sure if it was a boy or a girl. But my mother had already started to invent realities. She'll often tell me what she and Dad did that day, even though he died over a year ago.

[AllyCat]

73. Femmedem, she LOVED it!!

It was the gift that stole Christmas. She named it Dolly. When we were in the kitchen preparing food, I looked in and she was nuzzling it with her nose.

[femmedem]

74. I'm so, so happy to read this!

My mom asked me last night if I could hear her cat purring over the phone.

[AllyCat]

76. So wonderful.

I saved the box because I was so certain she would reject it. It brought others in the family to her to talk about the cat and that made conversation easier for her. Best $100 I ever spent. Thank you. Would not have known about this except for seeing your post that day and wanting to do something.

[apkhgp]

70. It means a lot

when you can fit modern technology in with everyday life.

[NewDayOranges]

77. A couple of years ago, I saw a FB video where they gave unresponsive elder women extremely life-like

baby dolls. Most of the women seemed to come alive. The held the babies and rocked the babies and cooed to the babies. Some of the women even cried over the babies -it was really a heart-warming site to see...

[Trueblue Texan]

78. I often suggest baby dolls for dementia patients...

I didn’t know about robotic cats! Sounds like a wonderful gift! Where do you get them? Educate me!

[femmedem]

80. You can get them at the Joy For All website or at Amazon.

Here's the Joy for All website:https://joyforall.com/products/companion-cats

And Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017JQQ01A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I asked my mom about the cat this evening. She says it's quiet and doesn't run around much, but very loving with a big purr. Now she says she's had it since it was only six or seven days old. We have it set to purr but not to meow.

[Trueblue Texan]

81. Precious.

What a great gift for your mom. Thanks for the info!