Arshia Khan, PhD, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, develops humanoid robots to enhance the delivery of care in people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias. In this study, robots were deployed in eight nursing homes and resident satisfaction and quality of life assessments were undertaken. Residents in dementia care homes exhibited positive responses to the introduction of robots, eagerly anticipating their engagement despite not typically being technologically comfortable. The robots notably enhanced residents’ quality of life, resulting in reduced depression rates and fewer neuropsychiatric episodes. Care workers also benefit from these robots, as they effectively engage residents, affording caregivers more time to complete tasks or take necessary breaks. This overall positive reception underscores the potential of robotics to improve the well-being of dementia care home residents while aiding caregiving staff. This interview took place at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC) 2023 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
These works are owned by Magdalen Medical Publishing (MMP) and are protected by copyright laws and treaties around the world. All rights are reserved.
