Reminiscence therapy is helping elderly patients across 63 County Durham Care Homes thanks to the addition of a helpful new ‘virtual’ staff member called RITA.
RITA stands for ‘Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities’ and is an all-in-one touch screen based system which offers digital reminiscence therapy through the use of user-friendly interactive screens and tablets to blend entertainment with therapy.
This helps residents (particularly with memory impairments) in recalling and sharing events from their past through listening to music, watching news reports of significant historical events, listening to war-time speeches, playing games, watching films and karaoke.
RITA blends entertainment with therapy to help residents (particularly with memory impairments) in recalling and sharing events from their past through listening to music, watching news reports of significant historical events, listening to war-time speeches, playing games, watching films, and karaoke.
Durham County Council's Supporting the Provider Market Team has worked closely with local care homes to make the RITA equipment available to their residents.
Redworth House in Shildon was one of the first care homes to pilot the technology (seen here being used by resident Gladys Young and Activities coordinator Sandra Baynham).
Hazel Bell is the Activities Manager for Redworth House and told us: “RITA has had a massive impact on both staff and residents. It's now part of our daily support for residents. We couldn't imagine life without it.
"We’ve tried all sort in the past with various activities and games but RITA just seems to be that bit different, Because there’s something on there for everyone. So we’ve got people who like looking at the photos or play the games suck as Whack a Mole and doing the 360 tours. The photos spark memories which start conversations and reminiscences.
"We can use it on a one to one basis or the care team use it to entertain groups of residents. Setting up in one of our quiet lounges or use some of the talking points in the RITA content on a bigger screen to act as themes for our weekly coffee mornings, such as famous speeches. We use RITA every day and it’s also available on a tablet which is great for people who are bedbound
“One of our ladies has a lot of behaviours that challenges. She’ll kick doors, shout, holler when she gets gets anxious and agitated, growing very vocal and disruptive as her frustration grows. Once in the calming sensory environment with RITA, playing relaxing music, the lady visibly relaxes as the tension leaves her body. With RITA her behaviour will completely change - she’ll calm down and relax. RITA really de-escalated frustrations and anxieties.
"When looking at photos on RITA you can see how another resident became alert and focused, identifying with pictures with scenes from his life. Using the simple games loaded on RITA is also a great distraction for another resident who displays behaviour that challenges. Once distracted with RITA, her mood improves instantly".