Needs of the Elderly
A major concern in society is that of caring for the aging population. Particularly in Japan, where the age 65 and up bracket is growing faster than the younger generations who would be caring for them, the question has been raised of how we can provide the assistance that the elderly need in order to thrive (The Daily Good).
This assistance can range from help with day-to-day life for elders with limited mobility, to more intensive care for elders suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia. Dementia is the term given to a group of age-related symptoms generally related to cognitive decline. It often presents as an inability to problem solve and regulate emotions, along with mood disturbances and delusions. This can cause problems with aspects of daily life such as caring for oneself (NLM). The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, which is a neurodegenerative disorder. Characterized by progressive degradation of brain function, beginning with regions associated with social behaviors, emotions, and memory and ending up so severe that the person can no longer function independently. There is no known way to stop the progression of this disease so research must focus on how to improve the lives of people with Alzheimer's (NINDS). Even those without dementia may need emotional assistance - loneliness and depression are common in elderly people who live alone or have lost a spouse (Singh & Misra, 2009).
It is unsurprising that there has been a number of assistive robots designed to fill the need for elder care. These robots come in many forms, ranging from humanoid robots that could take the role of a caretaker, to cuddly toy-like robots that provide emotional support. A recent article (2015) from a project aiming to create better assistive robots for elders with dementia pointed out key things to focus on in design:
This assistance can range from help with day-to-day life for elders with limited mobility, to more intensive care for elders suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia. Dementia is the term given to a group of age-related symptoms generally related to cognitive decline. It often presents as an inability to problem solve and regulate emotions, along with mood disturbances and delusions. This can cause problems with aspects of daily life such as caring for oneself (NLM). The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, which is a neurodegenerative disorder. Characterized by progressive degradation of brain function, beginning with regions associated with social behaviors, emotions, and memory and ending up so severe that the person can no longer function independently. There is no known way to stop the progression of this disease so research must focus on how to improve the lives of people with Alzheimer's (NINDS). Even those without dementia may need emotional assistance - loneliness and depression are common in elderly people who live alone or have lost a spouse (Singh & Misra, 2009).
It is unsurprising that there has been a number of assistive robots designed to fill the need for elder care. These robots come in many forms, ranging from humanoid robots that could take the role of a caretaker, to cuddly toy-like robots that provide emotional support. A recent article (2015) from a project aiming to create better assistive robots for elders with dementia pointed out key things to focus on in design:
- balance the needs of both caregivers and patients
- provide meaningful activities to benefit dementia patients
- design a user-friendly interface with the patient in mind
ASIMO
ASIMO, short for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, is a humanoid robot designed to, according to engineer Satoshi Shigemi, "help those in society who need assistance." This includes assisting the elderly with day-to-day functions, taking the role of a caregiver. Because ASIMO is extremely dexterous and able to carry out many daily tasks such as opening doors, operating light switches, and even pouring beverages, it is Honda's hope that one day he will be able to live in with elders and provide their basic daily care. Since ASIMO is still in development and it will likely be many more years before he is deployed to the general public, it is still unknown what kind of benefits he could have for elders with limited mobility or dementia.
PARO
PARO, the therapeutic seal robot, is a $6,000 registered medical device used in the treatment of dementia and Alzheimer's patients. The robot is designed to reduce stress and provide a form for social interaction for elders in care homes. Early research has found benefits such as reduced stress, reduced loneliness, improved mood, and increased social connections in elders who are given PARO. However this research wasn't the most rigorous and so larger populations and better controls are necessary to determine the true benefits of the robotic seal (Weir, 2015).
Hasbro Companion Cat
The toy company Hasbro released a much more affordable robot along the lines of PARO, called the Joy for All Companion Cat. This robot is modeled after one of their children's toys and claims to be a lifelike cat robot that can provide company and emotional support to lonely elders. Unlike PARO, this robot is marketed to the general public and can be purchased by anyone for around $100, meaning it's much more likely to be found in the home. No research has been done to support the efficacy of this robot but it is based off the idea that petting a cat can be therapeutic (Examiner). This is an ideal surrogate for anyone who is unable to keep a pet of their own.