RoboPets raise a smile with local care home residents

Elstow Lodge Residential Home in Bedford currently has eight residents, most of whom have a learning disability, while others live with a physical disability or dementia.

As part of a project exploring the impact of robotic pets on vulnerable adults receiving care, the Digitising Social Care programme at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System provided Elstow Lodge with seven RoboPets in June 2025.

Registered Manager, Megan Cullen, recalls introducing a robotic dog to a resident who does not communicate verbally: “She was smiling like anything, but when we brought out the cat, her hand reached out, she was smiling so much more, and she actually had a tear in her eye. We thought she might not gain anything from the RoboPet, but we saw so much love that we weren’t expecting.”

RoboPets have helped those with limited mobility and grip strength through actions such as reaching, holding, stroking and brushing. The care staff have been able to use the RoboPets to provide a distraction for challenging behaviours.

Megan explains: “Most of the residents do see it as a toy, so they don’t all have the same kind of emotional attachment, but there’s still an element of companionship, and they benefit from the sensory engagement as well.”

She shares the story of one service user with a complex diagnosis: “We’d been seeing a lot of challenges with her in recent months, but the RoboPet brought out a different side to her. It was so lovely to see her showing a lot of love, care and attention towards the RoboPet, and interacting with it.”

Unfortunately, they are not for everyone, as Megan noted that “one resident displayed some challenging behaviours and attachment issues with their RoboPet, so the carers have had to adjust their approach to manage this, while another was simply not interested.”

“It’s been trial and error with some individuals, but most of our clients love their RoboPets,” says Megan. “I strongly recommend RoboPets for individuals with dementia, as there is an element of love and attention that sometimes gets lost in that diagnosis. It’s been lovely to bring back some emotions and behaviours that you haven’t seen for a while.”

Expressions of interest are still being accepted from care providers which meet certain criteria. The study will run until March 2026, and the findings will be published shortly afterwards. To find out more, visit www.blmkhealthandcarepartnership.org/robopets or contact the team on blmkicb.digital.socialcare@nhs.net.