Care homes introduce HUGs to help residents living with dementia feel 'secure and loved'

If there is one thing we have all missed during the pandemic it is the comfort of a hug from our loved ones, but one care home group is helping spread the “warmth and joy" of a "hug” to people living with advanced dementia by giving them a HUG companion.

Care home group New Care, based in Lytham, has introduced HUGs to residents living with advanced dementia. HUG is an innovative soft comforter that is designed to be cuddled to help reduce anxiety and agitation, improve quality of life and enhance social interaction.

The HUG has weighted limbs and a soft body that wraps around the resident. It also contains a simulated beating heart and a music player that can be programmed with a playlist of the resident’s favourite tunes.

'Sometimes all you need is a hug'

Chief operating officer at New Care, Cath Fairhurst, said: “As dementia progresses, people can become more isolated, agitated and anxious, something that has become especially evident over the last couple of years with the uncertainty and changes that the pandemic has thrust upon us.

“Anything we can do to enhance the exceptional care our dementia community already enjoys is important to us so when we learned about the HUGs we knew that we had to bring them to New Care.

“Bringing comfort, helping individuals feel secure and loved, we can see first hand the warmth and joy the HUGs provide from the smiles on our residents’ faces.”

Developed at Cardiff Metropolitan University and tested in hospitals, care homes and domestic settings, HUG is scientifically proven to benefit those living with the advanced stages of dementia.

As dementia progresses, people living with the condition can become more isolated, agitated and anxious. There are currently very few products available that bring comfort, connection and meaning to the lives of people in the advanced stages of dementia.

'It makes you feel loved'

The HUGs have been well received by residents at New Care. When the huggable was wrapped around Ann Cain, a resident at Formby Manor Care Centre said: “Sometimes all you need is a hug to make you feel better,” and resident at The Hamptons Care Centre, Enid Platt, said it was “love in a hug.”

The HUG is also supported by the Alzheimer’s Society to ensure it is widely available for those who need it most.

Chris Maddocks, an Alzheimer's Society ambassador said: “I think a lot of people living with dementia don’t know how they’re feeling or why they’re feeling a particular way, and the comfort that the HUG doll will bring people in those situations is just really calming, a soothing effect, and it makes you feel loved.”

click here for more details or to contact The Hamptons Care Centre