'Sense of calm' as Surrey care home adopts kittens

At the Redcot, Friends of the Elderly home, residents and staff alike were delighted to welcome "two new furry additions to the home family", who they named Socks and Slippers after their striking white paws.

The home pointed out that animals such as cats can help people living with conditions like dementia by bringing a sense of calm to the environment.

As Redcot Manager Jan Daly described: "We’ve noticed that our residents not only enjoy the time they spend with Socks and Slippers but how, through play and interaction, the kittens are a calming influence. By simply playing with them, giving them a fuss or stroking them, it’s giving our residents a clear and happy focus. For example, one of our residents living with dementia can have distressed behaviour. Sitting with the kittens has a profound effect and they are now much calmer and significantly less distressed overall."

Kittens arrive at the Redcot care home

The Alzheimer's Society have said that caring for pets can help people living with dementia manage their condition.

In advice published on the group's website, a statement on the topic reads:

"People with dementia can find caring for an animal to be a source of support and stress-relief. A person living with the condition can also benefit from companionship and friendship from keeping a pet, and may provide a sense of purpose."

And while it is pointed out that there might come a time when a dementia sufferer may no longer be able to look after an animal in their care, pets in the care home setting can thankfully be cared for by staff at the care home itself.

"One resident even gave them a slipper to play with – it’s now their favourite toy," Jan said of Socks and Slippers current situation at Redcot.