Managing active and healthy aging with use of caring service robots (MARIO)

Worldwide, the number of people with dementia is expected to reach 81.1 million by 2040. Current health care strategies are insufficient to cope with this epidemic and the reality is that dementia care is under-prioritised and... [ view full abstract ]

Worldwide, the number of people with dementia is expected to reach 81.1 million by 2040. Current health care strategies are insufficient to cope with this epidemic and the reality is that dementia care is under-prioritised and neglected. The current paradigm of health care is one of ‘therapeutic nihilism’, services in the community are fragmented and carers and PWD are struggling to cope. To combat loneliness and the effects suffered by PWD, effective techniques include those that increase a person’s resilience. Resilience is an adaptive capacity that refers to one’s ability to ‘bounce back’ and cope in the face of adversity. Interventions focusing on strengthening the personal attributes and external assets of PWD show much promise as they may help retain cognitive capacity and reduce social exclusion. ICT solutions can be used to increase psychological skills like resilience (Norris et al 2008). There is also important new research in the use of robots to deliver ICT solutions and to act as companions (combatting perception of loneliness) via a novel user-centred concept called "Mutual Care" which provides the possibility for the human to "take care" of the robot like a partner (FP7. In this way, real feelings and affections are created making it easier to accept assistance from a robot when - in certain situations - in return the human can also support the machine.
This poster will outline the argument in support of robotic use in dementia care and will describe the MARIO which seeks to use robot companions to addresses the difficult challenges of loneliness, isolation in older persons with dementia by building resilience through innovative and multi-faceted inventions delivered by service robots. It is a three year study involving four other countries; Italy, UK, Greece and Germany. The anticipated impact of MARIO on dementia care will be discussed.