Seriously, can older adults
not love Nursebot Pearl? She talks, has a face with interchangeable parts for
various emotions, reminds them about important tasks, sends information
remotely to caregivers, and provides needed strength for manipulating objects.
No, she can’t replace a great human caregiver, but she can certainly hold her
own and help older adults stay independent when humans are in short supply. But
can they love her?
Researchers wondered, too. In the paper titled Older Adults' Preferences for and
Acceptance of Robot Assistance for Everyday Living Tasks, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology showed groups of adults
age 65 to 93 a video of a robot's capabilities and then asked them how they
would feel about having a robot in their homes. What was their response?
Apparently, older adults loved the idea of robots for some tasks, but preferred
humans for others:
Loveable
Robotic Assistance:
1) Housekeeping and laundry
2) Reminders to take medication and other
health-related tasks
3) Enrichment activities such as learning
new information or skills
4) Participation in hobbies
Preferred Human Assistance:
1) Personal tasks such as eating,
dressing, bathing and grooming
2) Social tasks such as phoning family or
friends
Let the record show that
older adults can and do love robots under certain conditions. View this video from AARP Tech
Beat which explores how robots can serve as home health aides and help people
to continue living independently in the future.
Frances
Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer
in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book
editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
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