Snowball, the Robotic Cat and Dementia


My husband died from dementia. He retired at age 59 from a job he loved then resigned from Rotary. I was puzzled by his withdrawal from social activities. Then I noticed other changes in his personality; mood swings, dislike of being with people, poor sleeping, so many that I was forced to accept we had to get professional help.


Finally diagnosed with dementia, his illness soon began to create huge frustrations for him. Unable to communicate easily, frustrations turned to uncontrollable rages. I was deeply distressed at the change of personality of this lovely talented man.


But I did notice that even in the middle of a violent rage, our little cat Sophie would leap – unknowing - on to his lap. Then I realised that as she sat on his knee, he would become calm and sit stroking her. Before he developed dementia, he didn’t particularly like cats. John later died in hospital.


When I began to recover from many years of coping with John’s illness I thought how difficult it had been to find help. So I became an Ambassador for Dementia UK who give enormous support to carers through placements of Admiral Nurses. I started a campaign for Admiral Nurses in Wakefield. These are trained mental health nurses, developed and supported by Dementia UK.


Last year at an Admiral Nurse Conference, I saw a table with several cats on it. Intrigued, I stroked one and realised to my surprise that it wasn’t real! It was a Robotic Cat, so real that at first I was fooled! It miaowed, it rolled over, it opened and shut its eyes, it licked its paws. I was hooked! Here was something we could develop to give some comfort to people with dementia.


I borrowed a cat and began to take it everywhere with me. The responses were amazing. At the end of my talks, I would bring out the cat. Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs collected and donated generously to buy cats for people who could be identified by the Admiral Nurses. One day I took the cat to a


Dragon Boat event and a small boy asked me his name. I said he hadn’t got one. He asked if it could be called Snowball. We set up a cat fund and discussed how we could best support people in Wakefield, those living alone, with or without dementia. We felt it was an opportunity for our 3 Admiral Nurses to identify people they knew would get comfort from keeping one. The idea has spread – clearly- since I received a letter addressed to “The Robotic Cat Lady in Wakefield”. Why are these cats so attractive to people with Dementia? No litter trays or feeding required! And it seems that there is a kind of peace in the very act of stroking something soft and realistic.


Recently I went to visit a dementia sufferer in a care home. We offered her the cat but she initially pushed it away. However, sitting in the corner was an elderly lady, rocking backwards and forwards, isolated and unaware. I walked over with the cat in my arms. She reached out for it and took it in her arms, her whole face lighting up. I went back half an hour later and there was now a concentrated look as she stroked and smiled at the cat.


I met Association President Liz at the recent Rotary Conference. Everywhere I went at that conference I was asked about the cats which were on display - it is clearly a project which will attract old and young and best of all, every person who saw the cat, smiled…..even if they didn’t like cats! One cat per club across the country- what a difference we could all make with such a small act of kindness!


Sheila Wainwright


Aberdeen Celebrates


75 Years of Inner Wheel 75 members and guests attended the very successful evening celebrating 75 years of The Inner Wheel Club of Aberdeen. Our guest speaker was Professor Paul Mealor of Aberdeen University Music School. His presentation took the form of an interview with President Susie. He answered the questions in a humorous manner and captivated the audience for 45 minutes illustrating his involvement with The Royal Family, Gareth Malone and the Military Wives Choir and also his personal interests. Excerpts from some of his compositions were played during the interview. The meal was well received and our guests were appreciative of such a high profile speaker. Aberdeen is the oldest club in Scotland now, following the demise of Paisley in District 23.


Margaret Eastmond


Page. 18


Innerwheel


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20