Abstract
BackgroundIn recent years, robots have been considered a new tech industry that can be used to solve the shortage in human resources in the field of health care. Also, animal-assisted therapy has been used to provide assistance, companionship, and interaction among the elderly and has been shown to have a positive impact on their emotional and psychological well-being. Both pets and robots can provide dynamic communication and positive interaction patterns. However, preferences for middle-aged and older adults in this regard are not clear.ObjectiveThis study explored the degree of acceptance of robots and pets as partners in later life and to determine the needs and preferences of elderly individuals related to companion robots.MethodsA total of 273 middle-aged and older adults aged ≥45 years and living in the community were invited to answer a structured questionnaire after watching a companion robot video. Sociodemographic data, physical health status and activities, experience with technology, eHealth literacy, and acceptance and attitude toward robots and pets were recorded and analyzed using multinomial logistic regression analysis.ResultsAge, level of education, type of dwelling, occupation, retirement status, number of comorbidities, experience with pets, experience using apps, and eHealth literacy were significantly associated with acceptance of robots and pets. Middle-aged and older women preferred robots with an animal-like appearance, while men preferred robots that resembled a human adult. In terms of robot functions, participants preferred a companion robot with dancing, singing, storytelling, or news-reporting functions. Participants’ marital status and whether or not they lived alone affected their preference of functions in the companion robot.ConclusionsFindings from this study inform the development of social robots with regard to their appearance and functions to address loneliness in later life in fast-aging societies.
Highlights
Along with increases in the size of the aging population, the demands for care and medical and health care manpower for the elderly population are increasing
Age, level of education, type of dwelling, occupation, retirement status, number of comorbidities, experience with pets, experience using apps, and eHealth literacy were significantly associated with acceptance of robots and pets
Technological products can help middle-aged and older adults live independently at home and provide health care and medical services in remote areas through mobile health strategies [6]; among these technological products are robots that can assist humans in performing repetitive and dangerous work and become the additional manpower needed for health care [7]
Summary
Along with increases in the size of the aging population, the demands for care and medical and health care manpower for the elderly population are increasing. The elderly population has been the demographic with the fastest growing use of technological products such as the internet and computers [2,3], and a growing number of studies have shown that health-related ICTs can effectively reduce medical expenditures and care costs and enhance the quality of life of middle-aged and older adults [4,5]. Animal-assisted therapy has been used to provide assistance, companionship, and interaction among the elderly and has been shown to have a positive impact on their emotional and psychological well-being Both pets and robots can provide dynamic communication and positive interaction patterns. Preferences for middle-aged and older adults in this regard are not clear
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