Earlier this year we were delighted to be acknowledged at the Social Care Wales Accolades 2024 in Cardiff for our use of Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activates (RITA) devices to support people living with dementia.
The ceremony took place on Thursday, April 25 at the Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel, with representatives from Wrexham Council and My Improvement Network in attendance.
Although we narrowly missed out on an accolade, our collaboration with My Improvement Network was highly commended for ‘working to the principle of strengths-based practice’, and we received praise for the work taking place in Wrexham to put the person to the forefront of care delivery by using RITA as a digital enabler.
What is a RITA device?
RITA devices come in the form of user-friendly touch screen or tablet to lend entertainment and therapy to assist patients in remembering and sharing things form their past using music and watching news reports of historical events. Other features include films, karaoke and playing games.
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A personal file can be created with all the individual’s needs and likes – such as their favourite music and films. This creates a much more personalised and effective way to care for that person according to not only their medical requirements but also their personal interests, which can also be a calming factor to reduce anxiety and stress.
We initially rolled out RITA devices to 20 of our care homes in March 2021. In April 2022, we added RITA devices to a further 13 care homes, including a version to support residents who are bed bound.
Last year we launched our initiative to promote the use of RITA Synergy, which allows care homes to export personal profiles from RITA devices to RITA Synergy dongles. This enables person-centred continuity of care to be delivered via the pathway to hospital, during a stay in hospital, and from hospital.
Dementia Google bike
Recently, we’ve been trialling use of a dementia Google bike that was gifted to us by Digital Wales. The bike uses a large screen to allow users to virtually travel around different areas as if they were cycling.
The bike has been used in the Wellbeing Hub, where it encouraged the people taking part to take the lead in conversations by discussing different hobbies.
Cycling, fishing, canal rides, chip shops by the beach, beach holidays, favourite drinks, and favourite meals were some of the topics brought up in one of the sessions.
Other shown benefits were the physical effects of the leg work and having to concentrate for a prolonged period.
“Shows our dedication to supporting people living with dementia”
Cllr John Pritchard, Lead Member for Adult Social Care, said: “We’re a big supporter of using digital enablers, like RITA devices, to help improve the health and wellbeing of families affected by dementia. We’ve seen so many different benefits, and it really helps families and carers to communicate with the person more effectively. Being highly commended at the Social Care Wales Accolades shows our dedication to supporting people living with dementia.”
Using digital to support dementia
Digital skills and community-based support can improve the health and wellbeing of families affected by dementia. To learn more about how you can use digital to help people living with dementia take a look at the Good Things Foundation website.
