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New Senior Living Community in Mansfield Uses Robotic Technology

Team at new memory care facility use therapeutic robot named LuSeal to help reduce the amount of depression and anxiety medication residents take

When Legend Assisted Living and Memory Care opens in Mansfield in late 2018, the team will utilize a therapeutic robot named LuSeal with therapy of residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related illnesses.

LuSeal, a 6-pound robot baby Harp seal, is an FDA-approved biofeedback device that memorizes voice and movement patterns of residents. The seal is designed to treat anxiety and depression in Alzheimer's and dementia residents by eliciting a nurturing response. This includes clapping her flippers, wagging her tail, nuzzling and making gentle baby seal vocalizations.

She will be implemented as part of the complement of therapies offered at Legend at Mansfield, which is currently under construction at 2500 Walnut Creek Drive.

A national study has shown about 60% of those 65 and older who are living in senior care suffer from depression. Depression blocks attempts to improve memory functions.

The innovative therapy has been proven to reduce the amount of psychotropic drugs needed to control behaviors in residents. In addition, the robotic seal has helped with depression, aggression and anxiety. There has even been an instance where a resident who hadn't spoken in years started speaking when she began talking to the robot.

Legend of Mansfield is the eighth Legend community in Texas and part of the residences of Legend Senior Living. Legend Senior Living is a privately held senior housing and services company based in Wichita, Kansas. Legend owns and operates 36 residences — spanning independent living, assisted living, memory care, and personal care — in Texas, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. Connect with Legend Senior Living on the website, Facebook or LinkedIn.