The idea of robots caring for humans seems like something out of a science fiction film like “WALL-E,” where robots cared for humans on a spaceship.
Although robots have yet to take over human care, that time may be fast approaching as they are being used to perform some eldercare duties and provide companionship for seniors.
Two years ago, regional media reported on Linda Williams of Aiken, South Carolina, who was given a new cat after her previous cat died from cancer. Such things happen regularly, and they don’t usually make the news, except in this case, the new cat, named Lisa, was a robot.
Lisa blinks, rolls over, purrs, turns her head and meows, but most of all, she keeps Williams company. Lisa doesn’t walk around though, which might be a problem for an active person, but Williams is happy to let Lisa ride on the seat of her walker.
“This is a beautiful cat. I don’t care what anyone says,” Williams told reporters in 2022.
Lisa is part of the South Carolina Department of Aging’s Robotic Pets Program, which was designed to provide companionship to seniors who feel isolated and lonely. The Department on Aging purchased the robotic pets and sent each local area agency on aging 15 pets. They also gave another 20 to the department ombudsman for distribution. Williams received her pet through the Tri-Development Center of Aiken County, a nonprofit agency that serves adults with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Two years later, Williams and Lisa are still together and closer than ever. Williams is no longer living on her own, but she didn’t have to worry about whether her new facility would accept pets because Lisa doesn’t require feeding or a litter box. She also won’t roam the halls of the facility.
“I don’t think they’re [robotic pets] a bad idea when it comes to things like companionship,” said Tri-Development Center Residential Services Manager Quindara Heyward.
Developing robots for eldercare is nothing new, but only recently have they reached the stage of development where they can be useful. There is still a long way to go though.
Robotic pets and other robots designed for socialization are the most photogenic of the care robots. However, they come in different shapes and sizes, depending on their intended use. Some might look more like a machine, such as ones designed to lift seniors or help with mobility issues and exercise. Others might simply monitor a senior in case a person falls. They can even help feed a person or assist them in going to the bathroom.
Robots aren’t widely used in eldercare yet. They are expensive and tend to create other problems. As James Wright noted in MIT Technology Review, “A growing body of evidence is finding that robots tend to end up creating more work for caregivers.”
For instance, a robot designed to help patients stand proved to be “cumbersome and time consuming to wheel from room to room–cutting into the time they had to interact with the residents,” Wright wrote.
Locally, the Bishop Gadsden community continues to examine how robotic technology could enhance the resident and team member experience. “We are happy to see continual improvements in privacy and safety and are evaluating how this technology can be incorporated into our mission,” said Kimberly Borts, vice president of mission and communications at Bishop Gadsden.
Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are leading to improvements in the abilities of eldercare robots. Additional uses are being found for robots in eldercare that aren’t so taxing on staff.
Artificial intelligence is helping with real-time analysis of blood pressure and glucose monitors to predict potential complications and suggest changes. Further, it is utilized as a virtual assistant for patients to provide reminders and assistance with daily tasks.
Robots are being used to sort and dispense medication for seniors. They can also monitor a home for a potential problem, such as gas leaks or falls. Some robots play games with seniors or engage them in conversation to provide mental stimulation.
It is a way to incorporate new technology into the healthcare process not only for seniors but for everyone without it seeming “too new or different.”
This seems to be the approach the Medical University of South Carolina is taking in integrating the new technology. MUSC partnered with Notable, an intelligent automation company for healthcare, to use AI to help patients with automated scheduling, registration, clinical intake workflows and more. This will involve using digital assistants to help with healthcare.
“Navigating health care can be challenging for patients, and we want to make it easier to access MUSC Health’s care,” Caroline Brown, chief external affairs officer at MUSC Health said in a press release. “Notable enables us to create efficient, reliable and timely digital experiences for our patients at every step in their care journey. By investing in and deploying technology that many other industries use, we can improve upon our patient and family-centered care delivery model and expand access to high quality, equitable care.”
By James Rada, Jr.
