Supporting Older People With Robots for Home Care

Advances in medicine have led to higher life expectancy. It is estimated that by 2030, one in six people worldwide will be over the age of 60. This rapid increase in the aging population means that a larger number of older people will require care. Family members and professional caregivers may not be able to meet this growing demand. In addition, reports indicate a significant shortage of workers, including nurses, in several industrialized countries, underscoring the need for additional strategies tailored to the needs of older adults.

Home Care and the Help of Robots

Simple and effective technologies such as robots can fill this gap and help provide older people with the care they need to age in their own homes. Despite their considerable potential, the social acceptance of robots for home care in aging societies remains an issue. Furthermore, their widespread use is hampered by the challenges of developing robots that can meet the specific needs of older people requiring long-term care in different countries, given cultural, ethical, and financial differences.

In a new study, researchers at Chiba University in Japan sought to identify the factors that influence people’s willingness to use robots for home care. Previous studies have shown that public participation in research has a positive impact on study design and patient retention. Building on this, the researchers investigated a user-centered approach that involves potential users in the research and development process of robots for home care. This approach takes into account the real expectations and problems of users.

Professor Sayuri Suwa, the corresponding author of the article, provides further insights into her work in Scientific Reports, saying: “In countries with aging populations, the use of robots for home care will enable many people to age in their own homes. Each country has its own history, culture, and legal system, so we wanted to clarify how home robots can be developed and deployed in a way that respects these differences. The team conducted a questionnaire-based survey of care recipients and caregivers in Japan, Ireland, and Finland. The questionnaire assessed four different aspects of user readiness, namely familiarity with robots, important points about home robots, functions expected of home robots, and ethically acceptable uses, based on 48 different items.

Factors Influencing the Use of Robots

The researchers analyzed the responses of 525 Japanese, 163 Irish, and 170 Finnish participants for common and different factors influencing their willingness to use robots. The analysis revealed that “willingness to participate in research and development,” “interest in robot-related news,” and “positive impression of robots” were common factors among respondents from the three countries. On the other hand, “convenience” in Japan, “notification of family members and caregivers in case of unexpected changes in the condition of elderly people” in Ireland, and “design” in Finland were identified as different factors influencing the use of robots. In addition, the study shows how historical, cultural, and demographic variables in each country influence the introduction of robots for home care.

In Japan, robot development is promoted by the government, industry, and academia, and the application of these robots is generally viewed with optimism. While robot development lags somewhat behind in Ireland, their use for older adults is increasingly recognized, and artificial intelligence and robotics are being used in health and social care. The Finnish respondents’ choice of “design” is consistent with Finnish design, which is world-renowned, suggesting that it is important in the manufacture of robots.

Overall, the study highlights the importance of user involvement and perspective in the development of home care technologies. Home care robots have significant potential to empower older adults. “The development of home care robots in collaboration with potential users, such as older people and caregivers, will lead to better product acceptance in the future. This is beneficial not only for validating home care products under development, but also for actually expanding the use of home care robots. Ultimately, this would lead to greater well-being for users,” Prof. Suwa concluded.