February 10, 2017 (Cheektowaga, NY) ─ Lois Calos held the long-haired, gray cat in her lap, stroking its fur and listening closely for the quiet purr.

“There it is.” Following a few more pets from Lois, the cat let out a meow. “You can do whatever you want,” she said with a smile.

Glenwell, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Cheektowaga, recently welcomed “Blue Eyes,” as the cat has been named, a motorized Joy For All Cat made by Hasbro.

With realistic fur and cat-like sounds – and sensors that respond to petting and hugs with familiar pet-like actions – Joy For All companions inspire smiles, laughter and fond memories for people of all ages.

Glenwell Administrator Stacie Major said it’s wonderful to watch the joy the cat brings the seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia at Glenwell.

“I’ve watched it transform a resident’s mood,” she said. “Residents can interact with the cat as if it were real. The more they pet the cat the more it purrs or even falls asleep on the resident’s lap.  The smiles, laughs and calming effect it has brought to some of the residents is priceless.”

Glenwell Regional Director Tanya MacNaughton said she’s even noticed an increase in verbal communication from residents when holding Blue Eyes.

“There is not only a sense of calmness about the residents when they are holding her but a kind of excitement and purpose that lights up their faces,” she said.

Click here to see Lois’ reaction to the Joy For All Cat at Glenwell.  For more information about Glenwell, please contact Administrator Stacie Major at (716) 608-7000, at smajor@depaul.org or visit us on Facebook.