Why robot carers could prove more comforting for our elderly than you think

It’s the 21st century and we’re in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), where the physical fuses with the digital world of artificial intelligence and the ‘internet of things’.

At the same time we are also facing a growing dilemma when it comes to looking after our elderly also finding the workforce to deliver what is needed.

So how could the digital world of AI impact on social care? And would it work?

First, let’s look at the facts. From 2005-2015 global life expectancy increased by five years. We are all living longer due to access to better medical resources and healthier lifestyles. That is great news for future generations, but it could be a demographic time bomb for our current social home care models.

As more and more of us reach older ages than ever before, what will happen when we are less able to live independently? Basic tasks, such as washing, cooking, keeping our houses clean, getting out and about will become increasingly more challenging.

In Scotland, thousands of people currently work in social care but the industry is already thinly stretched. It is estimated that the needs of a larger and ageing population will require around one million workers.

Personal home care visits are already restricted to 15 minutes and this may be the only contact an elderly person has. Is it possible to form an emotional bond with a person in this short time? I presume not, as recent statistics show that 1.2 million elderly people in the UK are suffering from chronic loneliness.

So what does the future hold?  Can we change the existing care models to make them work better?

A friend of mine sent me the link to a Ted talk titled ‘Can Robots Care’. Sociologist professor Astrid Weiss discussed the use of developing technology in the care industry and I watched it with great interest. It seems the future vison of humans living in unison with robots may, in reality, not be so far away.

Artificially Intelligent humanoid companions are currently being programmed to be able to recognise the needs and emotions of frail, elderly residents. ‘Social service bots’ can remind people to eat, move around, take medications and even predict when patients might need to use the toilet.

They can offer seemingly empathetic care, monitor pulse and temperature and communicate the information to a doctor. This could really help to take the strain off overburdened care workers.

‘Pepper’ is a semi-humanoid robot manufactured by SoftBank Robotics, designed with the ability to read emotions. The University of Hertfordshire has been programming Pepper to take care of elderly users. The 4ft tall robots have artificial intelligence called Caresses which is designed to interact with residents, rather than just carry out manual tasks. They have a tablet on their chests which residents can use to Skype call a relative, play games, videos or music.

Social interaction is an intrinsically human trait so the idea that we can form a bond with a robot seems far-fetched. However, it seems they could be a real solution in the effort to combat loneliness and improve mental health and provide such much-needed companionship to those with no family or loved ones around.

Caroline Abraham, Director of Age UK, recently said: “There is a lot to be said for making smarter use of technology to help people manage health conditions, stay independent for longer and improve efficiency. However, technology should only be introduced in situations where it deliverers real benefits.

“When it comes to caring for older people, there is no substitute for human touch.”

Robots could never fully replace care workers but they could offer alternative solutions and new ways of working to an ever-growing societal need.