Robots: What caregivers, patients think (Alzheimer’s Dementia Research, Video 1:53)

Whenever I write about robots being used to support caregiving, someone usually comments that robots can never replace people. Of course, that is the point. They can’t replace people, but they can provide services that allow people more time to be caregivers. They give patients more opportunities to be supported and stimulated in daily living activities. They allow technology to accurately assess and evaluate patient progress. Older adults with dementia gain a degree of independence with robots that encourage then to complete activities. 

Probably the best evaluators of how successful robots can be are patients and caregivers themselves. Few studies have investigated in-depth perspectives of older adults with dementia and their caregivers following direct interaction with an assistive prompting robot. This research on robots included older adults with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s dementia.

The adults had difficulty completing activity steps with their family caregivers. They were prompted by a tele-operated robot to wash their hands in the bathroom and make a cup of tea in the kitchen. Caregivers observed interactions. Individual interviews followed and categorized into themes.

Three themes summarized responses to robot interactions:

1)   Contemplating a future with assistive robots

2)   Considering opportunities with assistive robots

3)   Reflecting on implications for social relationships

While older adults with dementia welcomed opportunities for robots to help in daily activities, they still did not want to have one. Caregivers, on the other hand, were more open to opportunities robots provided. Several wanted to have a robot, possibly to decrease frustration, stress and relationship strain, and to increase social interaction via the robot. A negative consequence could be decreased interaction with caregivers.

In this video, meet Ludwig, a robot that helps older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. In addition to providing company and entertainment, Ludwig also monitors patients’ symptoms, cognitive decline, and depression. By the way, Ludwig is a robot and cannot replace a real person.

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.
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog

Aging in the City (Happiness Research, Video 8:48)

Do you live in a large city? Do you know what it’s like to age there in terms of health and happiness? Research indicates that there is definitely a connection. And, if you live your entire life in a major city, there are effects across your lifespan.

This study examined effects of city life on happiness. Participants included 5000 adults aged 25-85 years old. They reported their happiness levels and evaluated their city along place and performance dimensions. What do the findings suggest regarding city living and happiness over a lifespan?

1)  The happiness of younger residents is a function of having easy access to cultural, shopping, transport, parks, schools, sport amenities and the attractiveness of their cities.

2)  The happiness of older residents is associated more with the provision of quality governmental services that help them age in place. 

3)  Health and social connections are strongly linked to happiness for all residents.

In order to meet general needs of all ages living in the city, the findings above must be addressed when city living is planned. The video below shares examples of positive aspects of good city living for older adult New Yorkers.

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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.
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog

Workplace Bullying, Violence, Recommendations (Research, Video 1:29)

Bullying and violence have long been issues in various workplaces. The healthcare sector is no exception. More information is needed about organizational initiatives to support the healthcare workforce, reviews of what contributes to the bullying culture, and innovative educational practices that can eliminate the problems. This article discusses new regulations and professionalguidance addressing bullying and workplace violence.

Across disciplines, professional education has been cited as a contributing factor for creating a culture for bullying. New changes in the traditional education model can positively impact the workplace culture of bullying and violence by promoting more collaborative and meaningful interactions. New care delivery models can foster innovative care and treatment perspectives.

In the following video, Pam Cipriano, president of the American Nurses Association, describes ways nurses and employers can work together to create strategies that will shift the culture to one where bullying is not tolerated. Violence prevention and safety measures are a priority. You can get more information on this topic from nursingworld.org.

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.
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog

Alzheimer’s Dementia Malnutrition: Patients, Caregivers (Research, Video 6:11)

Did you know that malnutrition is one of the most important conditions that negatively affect the health of older adults? This is especially true with those who have dementia. In a study of nutritional status of patients affected by Alzheimer's disease living at home and the nutritional status of their caregivers, malnutrition was prevalent among both patients and their caregivers. Corrective measures included a nutrition education program and other intervention policies to restore nutritional status.

A hospice volunteer in Detroit, MI nursing homes for many years, I often sat during mealtimes at a table with several residents who had dementia. Due to ongoing staff shortages, I supervised everyone at the table in addition to the hospice resident assigned to me. Because I was also a school principal familiar with multi-tasking, I did not mind assisting in this manner. It became clear to me early on that some residents would eat minimally or not at all without my additional support. This is an example of a typical mealtime scenario:

“Petra, your food is just sitting there getting cold. You have a whole tray of delicious things to eat. You should eat some and see how good it is. You’re a good eater. Eat your food.”

“Food? What food? I don’t have none.”

“Watch me point to your food. You have coffee, juice, milk, mashed potatoes, fish, broccoli, bread, and fruit. That’s your name spelled P-e-t-r-a.”

“That’s not my name. My name is Petra. That’s somebody else’s name. That’s not my name. I know my name.”

“You should eat before it gets cold. Go ahead and eat. Give it a try.”

“Eat? Eat what?”

From previous experience, I knew that Petra and I could go on roaming forever around this same circle. Luckily, she was sitting next to me that day. I gave her a taste of the fish, something I knew she liked. Because I was aware that she was capable of feeding herself, I placed her fork in her hand and started her off eating. I did this in steps by steering her hand and giving her directions on putting food into her mouth, chewing, and swallowing. Residents with dementia needed tasks broken into simple steps.

Usually, she ate for a while by herself, even with her hands, after somebody started her off. In fact, some nursing homes serve regular meals in the form of finger foods to further assist residents with dementia. But without any help from me getting her started and restarted, she would sit and look at the food she said was not there. While this was going on, I also assisted my assigned hospice patient who usually ate well on her own, and I continually corrected and praised everyone else at the table. Like my students at school, someone would often say, "Look how I'm a good eater, too!" when I praised another resident. Everyone loves a word bouquet!

Featuring eating and drinking, this video is an excerpt from the program "Advanced Care in Late Stage Dementia" with dementia expert Teepa Snow.

 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.
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog