Tabby Cat: The Lifelike Dementia Companion Cat
For people with dementia, feeling anxious and agitated is a common occurrence. When a person develops dementia, they can often struggle to communicate with others, and as the disease progresses they can begin to feel increasingly isolated, lonely, and frustrated. Not being able to communicate as easily can mean that for many people living with dementia, life can become extremely lonely.
There are various methods of making life more enjoyable for people living with dementia, many of which help to manage feelings of stress, anxiety, and agitation. One of the most effective methods of doing so is through the use of a soft toy, which studies have shown has the potential to calm and soothe a person with dementia who is feeling stressed, worried or frustrated.
Aside from helping to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, soft toys have also been proven to help people living with dementia to feel more connected and give them something that they can communicate with, to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Why is the robotic ‘Tabby Cat’ a good option?
‘Tabby Cat’ - aka a Joy for All Pet Companion - is a robotic, lifelike cat toy that is designed to create a virtual pet experience, allowing people with dementia who may not be able to have a pet of their own for various reasons to benefit from having a companion to talk to and spend time with. In addition to being designed to be cute, cuddly, and lifelike, the Joy for All Pet Companion Tabby Cat was created to make life more enjoyable for people living with dementia.
Various studies have shown that for people living with dementia, pet therapy can be a fantastic option. Studies showed that in many care environments, residents can feel bored, isolated and alone, despite being surrounded by people. This is also true for people with dementia who are living at home with family members to support them. What studies have shown is that when people with dementia are able to spend time with animals and children, they tend to be happier, more engaged, and less stressed, which is where Tabby Cat comes in.
Further studies have shown that spending time with animals - or robotic animals that create the same emotional response as a live pet - offers various health and wellness benefits for people of all ages, including people living with dementia. These health benefits include lowered blood pressure, reduced heart rate, boosted levels of feel-good hormone, serotonin, and decreased levels of stress-causing hormone, cortisol.
How does ‘Tabby Cat’ work?
This battery powered robotic toy looks and acts just like a real cat - it can purr, meow, move, and respond in extremely realistic ways when it played with, petted or hugged. Many carers and care home staff have reported that people with dementia who have access to one of these cat-like companions, tend to be calmer, happier, and better engaged. They also tend to be less anxious and less likely to become frustrated.
Lifelike Moving Companion Cat
HASBRO'S Joy for All™ Companion Pets are designed to bring comfort, companionship, and fun to elder loved ones. Our interactive tabby cats are all about an ease-of-care and convenience that pairs with technology for the best possible experience for older adults living in senior communites and their caregivers.
Co-Devoloped with extensive feedback from aging loved ones and their families, these pets provide joy and intergenerational fun.
These pets have won multiple awards including the Caregiver Friendly Award form Today's Caregive and the Dementia SMART Award form the Dementia Society of America!
HASBRO'S Joy for All™ Companion Pets are designed to bring comfort, companionship, and fun to elder loved ones. Our interactive tabby cats are all about an ease-of-care and convenience that pairs with technology for the best possible experience for older adults living in senior communites and their caregivers.
Co-Devoloped with extensive feedback from aging loved ones and their families, these pets provide joy and intergenerational fun.
These pets have won multiple awards including the Caregiver Friendly Award form Today's Caregive and the Dementia SMART Award form the Dementia Society of America!
Joy for All Cat is designed to bring comfort, companionship and fun to elder loved ones. With realistic fur and pet-like sounds - and sensors that respond to petting and hugs with familiar pet-like actions - Joy for All delivers a soothing, joyful experience that inspire smiles, laughter and fond memories for people of all ages.
How to interact with the cat:
- A few simple pets or pats will bring your Joy for All pet to life.
- Pet your cat's left cheek and it will nuzzle its head into your hand.
- Pet your cat's back - or behind its head - and it will purr happily.
- Keep petting your cat and it will roll on its back so you can give it a belly rub.
- The more you pet your cat, the more relaxed it will get. It might even close its eyes and snooze.
- If you don’t touch your cat for a few minutes, it will go to sleep. To wake it up simply give it a gentle pat on the back. Or it might wake up when you move nearby.
