ROBOT THERAPY: Robots, Loneliness & the Elderly
Loneliness is already a crisis in older adults but using non-threatening robots are now one way of combating Geriatric Depression.
Robot GEMO trading stories
Recent research has revealed that robot therapy has the same effects on people as animal therapy. In addition, it is being recognized as a new method of mental healthcare for elderly people.
But 45 years ago, we already knew that.
Introducing a non-threatening, gentle robot into environments like hospitals, elderly care facilities, and centers for children & adults with disabilities would repeatedly prove therapeutically effective at improving communication. Through humor and dialog, International Robotic’s social robots on behalf of our clients would – for over 45 years – be able to connect with thousands of individuals who were withdrawn, depressed, angry or confused. It gives us great satisfaction to now observe how the scientific community is developing robot caregivers around the world.
“Social robots may promote the health of older adults by increasing their perceived emotional support and social interaction. Social robot interactions could improve engagement, interaction, and stress indicators, as well as reduce loneliness and the use of medications for older adults.” Lihui Pu, MSN, Wendy Moyle, PhD, Cindy Jones, PhD, Michael Todorovic, PhD
The Gerontologist, Volume 59, Issue 1, February 2019
ROBOT SEALS
Mental healthcare of elderly people is a common problem in advanced countries. Recently, high technology has developed robots for use not only in factories but also for our living environment. In particular, human-interactive robots for psychological enrichment, which provide services by interacting with humans while stimulating their minds, are rapidly spreading. Such robots not only simply entertain but also render assistance, guide, provide therapy, educate, enable communication, and so on. Robot therapy, which uses robots as a substitution for animals in animal-assisted therapy and activity, is a new application of robots and is attracting the attention of many researchers and psychologists.
The seal robot named Paro (yep…looks like a Baby Seal) was developed especially for robot therapy and was used at hospitals and facilities for elderly people in several countries. Recent research has revealed that robot therapy has the same effects on people as animal therapy. In addition, it is being recognized as a new method of mental healthcare for elderly people. LEARN MORE
AND ROBOT DOGS
Robotic pets are now the next big thing in Dementia care. Lifelike dogbots offer a soothing presence without needing to be fed or taken for a walk. Here’s a great article about it: NBC NEWS
it makes sense that much of the research on AI’s potential to support aging individuals is focused not on just building virtual friends, but also on helping elderly individuals and their caregivers with practical tasks, especially those that help an older person age in their own home. READ MORE ABOUT ROBOTS & AGEING
It has been a privilege for our social robots to visit Elderly Care facilities, Hospitals, Shelters, Rehabilitation Centers, Special Needs Schools, Developmental Disabilities Programs and Autism providers all over the world. We have met extraordinary people in the process, and learned extraordinary things. We still believe – and the scientific community now agrees –
LAUGHTER IS ALWAYS THE BEST MEDICINE.
Our mantra: “Laughter is the best medicine.”
