Grace Barker Health: Robotic Companions Improve Lives of Seniors

Grace Barker Health, a skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, assisted living and adult day health provider located in Warren, believes in the healing power of pets.

But the elderly individuals who live in Grace Barker’s skilled nursing and assisted living residences simply don’t have the wherewithal to care for a pet. “Many aren’t able to care for themselves or don’t have the proper space to be a pet owner, but their hearts are certainly open to it,” states Mary Beth Lescault, co-owner/administrator and director of nursing at Grace Barker Health. “Their eyes light up and their demeanors always change when a pet comes to visit our facilities.”

Grace Barker Health purchased a number of “Joy for All” robotic animal companions, a product line originally launched in 2015 by Pawtucket-based Hasbro, Inc. and recently acquired by Ageless Innovation, LLC. These animatronic dogs and cats are designed to provide interactive companionship, comfort, and joy for older adults to combat loneliness, social isolation and cognitive decline. Each battery-operated animal features built-in sensors to respond to motion and touch, a heartbeat that can be felt, realistic fur, and authentic sounds such as barking and purring.

“The response to these Joy For All animals is amazing,” states Lescault. “Our select residents who have been chosen to care for one of these pets experience a renewed sense of purpose and a bond which is very therapeutic. They help with agitation and dementia issues, and have a great calming effect. They are so realistic that sometimes our residents try to feed them food!”

Grace Barker has strong ties to Hasbro. Mary Beth Lescault’s father was employed by the company for many years, when he first came to the U.S. from the Azores. “It makes me proud to honor both my father’s legacy, knowing that Hasbro was an important part of his life for so long,” she adds. “Seeing these products in use at Grace Barker almost makes it come full circle for my family, and I think it would have brought him and my mother great joy if they were alive today.”

Established in 1966 in historic Warren, Rhode Island, Grace Barker Health (formerly known as Grace Barker Nursing Center) is a family-owned healthcare provider of skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, assisted living and adult day services. Owners Mark and Mary Beth Lescault are Warren natives whose family has operated the facility since its founding in 1966 by Mary Beth’s mother, Linda Machado. Mrs. Machado was a nurse who founded Grace Barker Health after her nursing benefactor and mentor, Grace Barker. Grace Barker Health serves the needs of residents and families throughout the communities of Warren, Bristol, Barrington, Riverside, East Providence, Rumford, Portsmouth and Tiverton as well as the nearby Massachusetts communities of Swansea, Seekonk, Somerset and Rehoboth. Grace Barker Health is a member of the East Bay Chamber of Commerce. The Cove at Grace Barker offers skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation and The Willows at Grace Barker offers assisted living and adult day health services. Grace Barker Health is located on Barker Avenue in Warren, RI 02885; phone: 401-245-9100; web: www.GraceBarkerHealth.com.