Home wins innovative technology for residents

RESIDENTS at Peterlee Care Home are set to be silver surfers after the activities coordinator secured £7,000 worth of interactive equipment.

Laura Laidler-Jones recently undertook a Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities course through Durham County Council.

She was asked to explain how RITA would impact residents at Peterlee Care Home, detailing how it would benefit both dementia patients and residents with a learning disability, particularly at night if residents are unable to sleep.

Laura was one of only 12 participants who were successful, and the home is to receive a 24” interactive tablet and a 10” tablet.

Steve Massey, operations manager at Popular Care, said: “Laura has done a great job winning this fantastic equipment for the home.

“All the evidence shows that it will have a very positive effect on the residents and support staff in their delivery of high quality care. I can’t wait to see the tablets in action.”

RITA is an all-in-one touch screen solution which offers digital reminiscence therapy, a relatively new tool in the fields of nursing and healthcare.

It is aimed at offering support for older people, people with mental health issues, learning difficulties and brain injuries as a means of supporting them and reducing their agitation, isolation, depression and delirium.

It has been proven to have significant benefits for care homes including a reduction in falls, reduction in hospital admissions, reduction in anti-psychotic and sleep medication, supporting dignity, respect and wellbeing for residents at the end of life, improving the quality of patient-centred and continuity of care and improved interaction between carers and residents and relatives and residents.