Gold star for care home assistive technology

Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities (RITA) is made up of large and small interactive touch screen computers that can enhance care for older people, those living with dementia, mental health conditions, acute brain injuries and learning difficulties by supporting engagement in activities.

Last year Sunderland City Council and Sunderland Care and Support offered an opportunity for care homes in the city to trial the RITA technology and has since seen benefits from reducing falls and improving cognitive stimulation, to reducing isolation and promoting overall wellbeing.

RITA can also be used for entertainment and allows customers to watch films, listen to music or play games.

Now Sunderland Collaborative has been awarded the Gold Star Award in the RITA Awards. Sunderland Collaborative is made up of the city council's Community Therapy Service and Strategic Commissioning Team, 11 care homes across the city, and ESPA (Education and Services for People with Autism).

Kelly Gallimore, Registered Manager at Primrose Care Home Hetton, said: "RITA has benefited our residents by evoking memories that may have been long forgotten, and helped older residents engage with 21st century technology is a huge accomplishment. The interactive games have been enthralling for residents and improved hand eye coordination."

Councillor Kelly Chequer, Sunderland City Council's portfolio holder for Healthy City, said: "It is fantastic to see the way the RITA technology is already making such a positive difference to residents' lives across Sunderland care homes and sheltered living schemes. We have seen people from a generation who grew up without computers engage with this technology and find it help with both their physical and mental wellbeing."

Linsey Proud, Team Manager at Sunderland's Care Home Therapy Team, said: "We are seeing first-hand the positive impact of RITA. Our residents who are using RITA have improved mental wellbeing, better sleep patterns, less falls and their daily routines are improved. We are continually learning about the possibilities for improving health and wellbeing through RITA and sharing our learning across our collaborative."

The RITA project has also been rolled out in across Gentoo sheltered housing and extra care schemes.