Social Robots at Play: Enhancing Social Interaction and Well-Being for People with Advanced Dementia and Their Ecosystem in a Secured Care Context
摘要
This paper presents a social robot-based intervention to playfully increase physical activity, cognitive capabilities, and socio-emotional interaction of people with advanced dementia and their caregivers. Furthermore, we present preliminary results that demonstrate the impact and appropriation of using the system in a secured care environment over 10-months with overall 23 participants, including 13 people with advanced dementia, their family members, and professional caregivers. Our early findings indicate that the use of the social robot supported well-being, engagement, and social interaction of people with advanced dementia, even demonstrating the ability to create new memories and experiences. We discuss future challenges for research aiming for socially embedded innovations that address the social actors involved and thus contribute to practical and playful solutions for people with advanced dementia and professional care.