RITA attends the N.A Forum in Bologna!
29
Nov
2023
Our Italian colleagues Elisa and Gian-Luca have been proudly introducing RITA to delegates at the N.A Forum in Bologna this week. The reception has been amazing!
Gateshead Health introduces innovation in digital therapy to help patients recover in critical care
08
Sep
2023
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust through its charity, QE Charitable Funds, has bought a new digital device that will revolutionise the recovery process for patients in critical care. The device called Rehabilitation and Interactive Therapy Activities (RITA) is specifically designed for bedside delirium prevention and cognitive rehabilitation support with the aim to enhance the wellbeing and communication of patients and their carers in Critical Care (ITU). This state-of-the-art equipment offers a comprehensive suite of interactive activities and therapy tools that stimulate patients, improve their mood and promotes overall wellbeing, all accessible from the comfort of their bedside.
Hull University Teaching Hospitals say hello to RITA!
01
Sep
2023
A new computer-based activity system is helping to improve safety and provide more tailored care to scores of patients in hospital.
Paramedics use RITA to enhance patient journeys to hospital
12
Jul
2023
It is well documented that complex service users who are admitted into hospital (electively or non-electively), arrive very anxious and distressed. In many cases they can be aggressive and non-compliant, which can frequently lead to unwarranted admissions, particularly from A&E.
RITA is now achieving great results in Italy. Dementia care is global not local!
23
Jun
2023
We are absolutely thrilled to report that RITA is now being used operationally in Italy and the results are mirroring what has been achieved in the UK and Ireland over the past 12 years which to be honest is not a surprise!
Wherever you live in the world, Dementia and Cognitive complexities are no different! How you support and treat these issues is no different. The only difference is language and we have enhanced RITA to meet the needs of those living in different countries.
We are so proud to share with you an experience that Christian had using RITA with an elderly gentleman living at home with mild Dementia called Giovanni. Enjoy and read more here
Testimony freely shared by Christian, Occupational Therapist – June 2023
Dave Hodgson Mayor of Bedford Borough writes about their experience of RITA
17
Apr
2023
Three Bedford Borough Council care homes have received awards from My Learning Network for their use of Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities (RITA).
- Puttenhoe was awarded for Best use of RITA for continuity of care
- Rivermead was awarded for Best use of RITA for 1:1 dementia care
- Brookside was awarded for best use of RITA with people with learning disabilities
Since January 2022, six care homes in Bedford Borough have been trialling (RITA) equipment, designed to enhance the quality of life and wellbeing for residents by exercising their minds and triggering memories. Each home had one large and one small device for staff and residents to use.
RITA devices are designed to provide residents with a range of interactive activities that are tailored to their individual interests and life experiences. Activities include virtual travel, memory games, music therapy, and viewing old photographs and videos, among others.
Staff at the participating care homes have found RITA, which can be used as part of group work or individually, provided residents with a sense of empowerment and independence, and has enabled residents to reminisce, share stories and connect with others in a meaningful way. Relationships and activity groups of residents with shared interest, have been formed, for example, at one care home a group of residents enjoy listening and singing to hymns together and while another group of enjoy watching old sports clips together.
RITA has helped staff with new admissions in gaining life history and information about individuals that is personalised to them, in particular when a resident has impaired communication skills. RITA was successfully used to support and facilitate admissions to Puttenhoe in their reablement unit from hospital. Helping residents who were at risk of falls, by encouraging them to engage with the equipment and alleviate boredom when they had to self-isolate in line with COVID-19 guidance at the time.
A very special nurse & much valued member of the RITA community needs our help!
13
Feb
2023
We have just heard the very sad news that Katie Pritchard, who most of you will recognise from our videos showcasing her use of RITA at Imperial College Healthcare is very poorly with Cancer and she and her beautiful family need our help. As a reminder of the type of person Katie is, the video she kindly agreed to film for us a few years ago is below. What comes through more than anything is just how much she cares for her patients and how much she is an inspiration for the nursing community.
Centre for Ageing & Dementia Research invite Welsh Ambulance Service to Host a Webinar on RITA
02
Feb
2023
Who are CADR? Building on existing internationally recognised and transformative research networks the Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research (CADR) is a world class research centre addressing key internationally important questions in ageing and dementia. The Centre integrates multi-disciplinary activity and develops areas of expertise from biological, through psycho-social and environmental, to social policy in ageing and dementia.
