9 Assistive robots in care: Expectations and perceptions of older people

Abstract

This chapter analyzes older people's expectations and perceptions about welfare technology and in particular about robots in elderly care. Assistive robots may serve as a means to prolonged autonomy in old age as well as support for nursing staff. Justified by a rapid change in the health care sector, the need to focus on user driven and not technology driven development of assistive robots must be emphasized to ensure an adequate and sustainable orientation process toward assistive robots. This study presents an inventory of the expectations and perceptions of older people regarding assistive robots, by conducting a qualitative approach with focus group discussions. Our findings reveal that seven themes in particular need to be addressed in order to improve older people's perceptions of robot technology: (1) independence and safety, (2) physical and mental assistance, (3) communication and socialization, (4) relief to nursing staff, (5) individual's right to decide, (6) data protection, and (7) liability. Additionally, the focus group interviews stress that dissemination of information on how robots can provide assistance may change older people's attitudes towards technology.