Exploring Social Robots for Healthy Older Adults: Aging With Companionship

Loneliness and social isolation are prevalent among older adults and are associated with adverse health outcomes. Social robots offer a novel approach to addressing these issues by providing companionship and social support. This study examines the preferences of older adults when conversing with social robots that use verbal and nonverbal communications. The methodology of this study incorporated both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Sixteen older adults residing in an independent living facility participated in a 4-week study, during which they were observed interacting with a social robot in weekly sessions. The study employed a Wizard-of-Oz experimental design to investigate verbal and nonverbal communication levels. Data was collected in three phases beginning with the human-to-robot conversation observation immediately followed by a post-interaction survey, open-ended interviews, and finally a post-experience survey. Participants reported positive experiences with the robot, including companionship, enjoyment, and emotional support. The robot’s ability to remember details about participants and engage in responsive conversation was highly valued. All participants desired the robot to have more verbal and nonverbal communication skills. The preliminary findings suggest that social robots have the potential to mitigate loneliness and enhance social connectedness among older adults. Further research with more diverse samples is warranted to validate these findings and explore long-term effects. Addressing ethical considerations will be crucial to maximize the benefits of social robots in promoting the well-being of aging populations.