Mar 2020
Paro the robotic seal pup visits Lincoln care home
Residents of a Lincoln care home enjoyed a special visit from Paro, a robotic seal pup designed to help people living with dementia.
Paro was a special guest at a coffee morning held at OSJCT's Hartsholme House during Dementia UK’s Time for a Cuppa week.
Paro seals look and behave like a baby harp seal and respond to voice and touch interactions. The emotional responses they provoke can have a calming effect on people with dementia. Research also shows that Paro can promote social interaction as well as improve mood and speech fluency.
June, Madge and Sylvia were among the residents who enjoyed spending time with Paro.
June said Paro was “lovely” and Madge decided she wanted to keep him!
Rose Elliot, an Admiral Nurse for the Trust, who takes Paro with her on visits to OSJCT homes across Lincolnshire, said it was lovely to see how residents reacted to him.
“Their faces light up when I walk in with Paro. I love seeing the way they interact and engage with Paro, it’s a really lovely part of the job.”
Hartsholme House Home Manager Cheryl Gilderdale added: “Residents always look forward to a visit from Paro. It’s quite incredible to see the way they engage, and how comforted they are by having a few moments with Paro.”
Greg Martin and Danielle Longman from local supplier Nexon Group which provides healthcare products to the Trust, also came to see Paro in action. The company has donated one Paro seal to the Trust and supported the purchase of two more.
Nexon Group Director Don Green said the company was delighted to have supported OSJCT in this way.
Mr Green said: “Paro the seal is a fantastic initiative, proven to have positive psychological effects on patients, and care home residents, improving their relaxation and motivation. As partners in care, we understand the importance of this, particularly in people living with dementia.
“Nexon Group has had a long-standing partnership with The Orders of St John Care Trust for more than 15 years. We saw this as an excellent opportunity to give something back to the charity, in the support of the great work it achieves.”
He added: “To have the opportunity to see Paro in action with residents at Hartsholme House is a real privilege. Danielle and Greg, key members from the Nexon Team, were only too pleased to have the opportunity to cuddle Paro!”.
Kerry Dearden, Trust Deputy CEO, commented: “We are fortunate to have four Paro seals that we use across the Trust, as part of the therapeutic interventions we offer to residents living with dementia. We are very grateful to Nexon for their continued support.”