Robots For Elderly Care: How Robotic Companions Are Redefining Ageing in Place

What Are Robot Companions?

A robot companion is a type of robot that provides emotional support, companionship and practical assistance.

Some of the things robotic companions can do include:

1. Have conversations – By using AI, robot companions can talk to humans, which can reduce a person’s feelings of loneliness.
2. Give reminders and alerts – Robotic companions can provide a wakeup call, acting as a more personal alarm clock.
3. Monitor security and wellbeing – You can use a robotic companion as a home security measure or to monitor someone living alone.

Various robotic companions are available on the market, including humanoid robots and pet robots. When it comes to pet robots, research suggests that they may have positive effects on the wellbeing of older adults, including reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Pet robots have also been found to benefit people with dementia. A robotic pet gives people the companionship of an animal without the practical difficulties of looking after one.

What Are Assistive Robots?

Assistive robots are robots that help people perform tasks. They can improve people’s independence and quality of life. Think of them as robot caregivers. For example, some will remind people to take their medication or carry out tasks like making a cup of tea. 

Some of the most advanced assistive robots can even facilitate physiotherapy and help people move in ways they might otherwise struggle to do.

What’s the Difference Between Robot Companions and Assistive Robots?

Robot companions and assistive robots are similar, but they’re not the same.

Assistive robots usually provide more practical support. For example, while a robotic pet companion can help with loneliness, it can’t fetch a drink. Which robot (or even robots) will suit someone will depend on their needs.

While a variety of robotic companions and assistive robots are available off the shelf, you’ll get more out of robotic devices by combining them with other technology. A Smart Home Professional can advise how to incorporate robotics into a wider ecosystem of smart tech that supports ageing in place.

The Growing Role of Robots for Elderly Care

Robots can help with elderly care in many ways, including increasing mobility. For example, assistive walking robots can help people move more independently. Innovations like this have the potential to revolutionise ageing at home. For example, it might not be possible to adapt a home to be wheelchair accessible. However, the same property might be suitable for someone who can use a wearable robot to help them walk.

Ageing populations and carer shortages are leading to more people considering robots for senior care. As adoption grows, it’s reasonable to assume that robotics could become more affordable – unlocking new ways to age at home for more people.

Emotional Wellbeing and Human Connection

Seniors who live alone may have limited contact with others, which can lead to feelings of isolation. Robotic companies can potentially help here.

A study focused on the social robot PIO found that those who had interventions from the robot experienced improved cognitive function and reduced depression and loneliness.

With developments in natural language processing and AI, we'll likely see more social engagement with robots. However, robots can only supplement human care and connection. They can’t replace it.

How Robots for Seniors Support Independence at Home

Robots can help seniors remain at home by taking care of labour, alerting caregivers to issues, and making day-to-day life easier.

For example, robots can assist with physical tasks, such as completing household chores like folding clothes or making beds.

Another way robotics support independence is through fall detection. Ageing homeowners who wish to stay in their homes can reassure loved ones that a robot will automatically call a caregiver if they fall.

As we’ve already mentioned, assistive robots also come in the form of mobility aids, which support physical independence. Plus, they can also provide reminders for medication, potentially reducing the need for a carer.

Healthcare needs aside, with a professional setup, robots can double up as smart home controllers, making it easier to manage a home’s lighting and heating. Voice-enabled control can increase accessibility. There’s no need to physically reach a thermostat if simply saying “Turn the heating up” triggers a temperature change.

In addition to these benefits for their users, robots can also benefit seniors’ caregivers and families. They can provide peace of mind (including through safety alerts) and reduce the risk of burnout (by sharing the load).

Designing Robots for Home Environments

When introducing a robot into a domestic space, it needs to be suitably compact and behave safely and intuitively. For example, a robot that’s suited to senior care needs to understand that it must never place itself somewhere that could increase the risk of a fall.

It’s also important to consider privacy and data security. If a robot is recording visual or audio, it needs to be secure. It’s extra important when robots are used for care. Enhanced security measures need to be in place to protect a person’s privacy and dignity.

Buying reputable products and using a professional for installation will protect you against most security risks. A professional can also advise on the robots that will best suit a home environment and integrate with other tech.

Ethical and Social Considerations of Elderly Care Robots

Some people are uneasy about the use of robots for companionship. Of course, there’s a difference between having an empathetic conversation with a person and having an AI-enabled chat with a robot. However, as studies have shown, robots can potentially help alleviate loneliness (even though they can’t replace human interaction).

Within the remit of elderly care, ethical concerns remain about the use of robots. Some people are worried about seniors forming emotional attachments to robotic devices. There is also the question of whether it’s ethical to encourage someone to communicate with a robot rather than provide human companionship. However, others argue that robot assistants give help that a human couldn’t. For example, assistive walking devices can give people the independence to move without asking for help from a carer.

The Future of Ageing in Place

As AI and robotics evolve, we’ll likely see greater personalisation in eldercare, such as emotion recognition, predictive health monitoring, and adaptive learning. Potentially, robot companions will be able to adapt according to a person’s mood, spot problems before they happen and change routines based on a person’s regular actions.

Once robot companions and assistive devices become more normalised, it’ll likely become an increasingly popular option to integrate them into broader smart home ecosystems. CEDIA-certified professionals can help everyone create smart living solutions that always remain human-centred.