Scottish housing charity embraces cutting-edge technology for Dementia Awareness Week
Tenants in West Lothian have found the ‘paw-fect’ companion in an innovative robotic dog.
Finding its home at Bield Housing & Care’s tech hub in Linlithgow, the robotic companion pet brings joy to all ages, but especially those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
This Dementia Awareness Week, the leading housing and care provider aims to highlight the unique ways in which those living with dementia can still find joy from furry friends, which aim to improve wellbeing and combat social isolation.
The robotic dog has a soft fur coat and makes authentic animal sounds and natural motions, like head lifting and tail wagging, in response to petting and hugging. It has been designed to look and feel like a real pet, but without the need to be fed, walked, groomed, or taken to the vet.
Gary Baillie, Head of BR24 and Assistive Technology at Bield said: “This robot pup is one of the most loved pieces of tech we have in the Bield Tech Hub, the tenants across Bield love coming to see it.
“We’ve all seen the positive impact this has brought to our tenants and the genuine smiles that it brings to the faces of both tenants and staff is wonderful to see. Companionship is vital for everyone, so we’re not surprised it has gone down a treat. Now we just need to figure out a name for it!
“At Bield, we’re always looking for ways we can harness the power of technology to provide care – not just to our tenants, but to the broader community as well.”
The incredibly lifelike ‘Companion Pet’, designed to combat social isolation and cognitive decline, was first introduced to the hub in 2023. Available to purchase on Amazon, the animatronic dog provides engaging interaction through built-in sensors that respond to motion and touch with realistic movements and behaviours, fostering a sense of companionship for individuals of all ages and cognitive abilities.
Bield has been leading the way in tech-enabled independent living approaches through its participation in the Technology for our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (TAPPI) project. Following its success in securing £75,000 in funding, Bield co-designed the innovative digital tech hub at its West Port development in Linlithgow with tenants to showcase its commitment to revolutionising the use of technology in the housing and care sectors.
The hub features six spaces – two bedrooms with bathrooms, a kitchen and a living space – all equipped with various cutting-edge technologies such as predictive analytics devices, smart drinking cups that track fluid intake, 4D tracking systems and the companion pet.
The TAPPI project, spearheaded by the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN) and the TEC Services Association (TSA), and funded by The Dunhill Medical Trust, aims to advance how technology is utilised in housing and care settings for older adults.
Bield’s groundbreaking efforts to integrate innovative technologies into care practices have been met with high praise, highlighted by its recent honour – the Transformation Award at the 2023 ITEC Awards in Birmingham – for the ‘Inspire Phase 2’ proactive telecare project.
As a registered charity operating around 170 developments throughout Scotland, Bield remains steadfastly committed to providing flexible, high-quality housing solutions and support tailored for tenants.
To find out more about Bield, visit https://www.bield.co.uk/ or follow on Facebook @bieldhousingandcare and Twitter @BieldScotland
