How Robots Are Changing the Lives of Seniors

People aged 60 and up are becoming more open to using modern technology. According to a study published by the Pew Research Center, the number of seniors who own smartphones skyrocketed to 40% in 2017 from just under 20% four years earlier – and tech businesses are obviously starting to notice, given the increasing number of gadgets specifically designed for seniors in the market today.

In addition to these, various robots for the home have also started popping up in recent years. It should not come as a surprise, though. Robots have continuously been getting better at doing human tasks for several decades now, and their rate of improvement has never been this fast.

In the Household

We all know that regular exercise is one of the keys to good health and longevity, especially in older individuals. In fact, a study published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website states that physical activity can help prevent health conditions such as heart disease, osteoporosis and obesity. Unfortunately, not all seniors are physically capable of being mobile—and this is where service robots that do household chores come in.

Also known as domestic robots, they usually come in the form of smart appliances like vacuums and mops. Some can be controlled using mobile devices; others can be left alone to figure out the best way to do the job. Their goal is to not only enable seniors, especially those with limited mobility, to accomplish household chores faster, but also give them more time for the things that they enjoy doing.

Increased Happiness

Loneliness may actually cause poor health according to a study conducted by Renee P. Meyer, MD and Dean Shuyler, MD. This is why it is important for family members to always make seniors, who are naturally more susceptible to illnesses, feel valued and loved. The problem, however, is that for most people, the demands of everyday life make it extremely difficult to do so, especially if the older family members live far away.

Fortunately, there are now robots that help facilitate improved communication between family members who do not live together. The beauty of this new technology is that it is specifically designed to help seniors get in touch with their loved ones with virtually zero effort, making it easier for older users to adopt.

In addition, seniors can now also get robot pets. These AI-powered creatures provide the elderly with the companionship traditionally offered by live pets minus the need for actual care. This means absolutely no feeding, no training, and no clean up to worry about. It also eliminates the risk of pet-related injuries and damages.

The Future of Robotics for Seniors

While the current technology is already pretty impressive, what's to come is even more exciting. From robot caregivers and mobility assistants to emotional support and more advanced helper robots, the robotics and AI industries have, without a doubt, zeroed in on making senior life as happy and fulfilling as can be.