Interactive Baby Robot for Seniors with Dementia

Abstract

Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) such as aggression, wandering, delusions, and diminished motivation increase not only the workload of caregivers but also the economic burden on communities. To address BPSD, we developed a baby-like interactive robot, inspired by doll therapy, which is a recognized non-pharmacological intervention. In this section, we report the results of our long-term field trials in a nursing home environment that investigated the robot’s influence on the quality of life for seniors with dementia and the working environments of a nursing staff. Our findings confirmed that such seniors showed sustained engagement with the robot if its interaction is well-designed. Furthermore, the robot showed potential to reduce staff’s burden.