Caregiving Robot Provides Comfort, Independence (Research, Video 2:38)

Living alone as an older adult can be scary when you know you need help sometimes to care for yourself and your home. There are daily tasks that simply must be done. But suppose you had a robot to do specific tasks that you approve and keep you company as well. That could make all the difference in the world in providing you with peace of mind and independence you desire.

What could such a robot look like without being too intimidating? How will it move around your house while respecting your privacy? What can it do to keep your loved ones informed about your home life and health status? Robots, especially mobile manipulators, have the potential to answer all these questions.

Many of your needs are common to those of other older adults who want to live independently. During older adult robot research, twenty-one Americans (65-93 years old) who lived independently were asked about their preferences for and attitudes toward robot assistance. They were open to this assistance and generated 121 tasks they would want a robot to do in their homes. However, they were discriminating in their acceptance of assistance for different tasks. They preferred robot assistance over human assistance for tasks related to chores, manipulating objects, and information management. On the hand, they preferred human assistance to robot assistance for tasks related to personal care and leisure activities.

Meet Grandma Lea, a 94-year-old who lives alone with her robot named Mr. Riley. Her robot assists her with daily chores, monitors and collects data on her health, and allows her to have face-to-face conversations with loved ones and her doctor. Grandma Lea says Mr. Riley is a reassuring presence in her life. What do you think? Do you see living with a robot in your future? You can view this video about Grandma Lea on YouTube.

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

Robot Caregivers of Older Adults: Do You Love Me? (Research, Video:1:47)

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.

Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog