{"id":1163,"date":"2021-02-10T10:37:18","date_gmt":"2021-02-10T10:37:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/?p=1163"},"modified":"2021-02-10T10:37:18","modified_gmt":"2021-02-10T10:37:18","slug":"7-reasons-why-robots-make-good-companions-for-the-elderly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/7-reasons-why-robots-make-good-companions-for-the-elderly\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Reasons Why Robots Make Good Companions for the Elderly"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image1.png\" alt=\"A robot looking into the camera\" width=\"1125\" height=\"750\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1165\" srcset=\"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image1.png 1125w, https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image1-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image1-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image1-960x640.png 960w, https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image1-480x320.png 480w, https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image1-320x213.png 320w, https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image1-240x160.png 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1125px) 100vw, 1125px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advancements in healthcare and medicine have increased the life expectancy of humans. However, a longer life span brings with it its own distinct challenges. Older adults have grown up children that are often fully occupied with their own lives and responsibilities. Their social circle diminishes as their friends either pass away or can\u2019t get together regularly due to age or sickness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The coronavirus pandemic has brought this issue into sharp focus. Worldwide, isolated older adults in nursing homes and assisted living communities have been forced to live through lockdowns and quarantines. Their loneliness was amplified by the fact that they couldn\u2019t meet or hold their family members.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortunately, there is some hope on the horizon <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurekalert.org\/pub_releases\/2020-12\/uop-rc121020.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the form of robots<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Robots as Pets<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you first hear about robots being used as pets, you might think of a person gently patting a machine. The reality is quite different. Robotic pets are being manufactured with the lifelike features of real pets, including realistic fur.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the United States, a pilot project by the Alabama Department of Senior Services has partnered them, as well as several other state-level agencies, with a robotic pet manufacturer. Their aim is to provide <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7566965\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">many seniors with these robotic companions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The state of New York was first in the United States to conduct a study of these robots\u2019 usage <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www1.nyc.gov\/site\/dfta\/about\/pr-DFTA-joins-state-robotic-pet-trial-to-combat-loneliness-in-older-adults.page\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and their impact on the elderly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. After spending a year with these pets, 70% of the pilot project\u2019s participants reported feeling less lonely.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support Robots<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another category is support or service robots, which are designed to act as caretakers of their elderly companions. Support robots can perform a variety of tasks such as remind their companions to stay hydrated, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/techforaging.com\/social-robots-elderly\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">provide social interaction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and give reminders about phone calls or appointments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their connectivity features even enable them to access the internet and let their companion communicate with family or friends via platforms such as Skype and Facetime.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why Support Robots and Robotic Pets Make Sense<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For people living alone, pets can be a source of comfort and joy. However, as living beings, pets are also a big responsibility. Additionally, older adults who live by themselves without family members can benefit from service robots.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Robotic pets don\u2019t need to be fed, groomed or taken to the vet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They don\u2019t need daily walks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their responses and activity level isn\u2019t overwhelming for the elderly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike real pets, robotic pets don\u2019t age, fall ill or pass away.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support robots can slow age-related cognitive disorders <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s10676-020-09546-y\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by keeping their companions engaged<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support robots can provide reminders about medication and food.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some kinds of support robots can be programmed to detect falls, which is helpful for people who have problems with balance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It goes without saying that quality human contact is the ideal way to reduce the isolation and loneliness felt by the elderly. However, in the absence of family members or friends, robots have proven themselves capable and up to the task.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image2.jpg\" alt=\"The robot ASIMO waving its hand\" width=\"500\" height=\"750\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1164\" srcset=\"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/image2-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/used-welding-robots-for-sale-17\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">robotic welding systems<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/spare-parts\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">industrial robot parts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mitsubishi robots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ABB spare parts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we\u2019ve got the widest range of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/new-robots\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">robots for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/contact\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact us today<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and let us find you the ideal <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">robot mechanical parts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for your project.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advancements in healthcare and medicine have increased the life expectancy of humans. However, a longer life span brings with it its own distinct challenges. Older adults have grown up children that are often fully occupied with their own lives and responsibilities. Their social circle diminishes as their friends either pass away or can\u2019t get together &#8230; <a title=\"7 Reasons Why Robots Make Good Companions for the Elderly\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/7-reasons-why-robots-make-good-companions-for-the-elderly\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 7 Reasons Why Robots Make Good Companions for the Elderly\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1165,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-robots"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1163"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1163\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1166,"href":"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1163\/revisions\/1166"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1163"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1163"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usedrobotstrade.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}