Social Robotics and Dementia: Results from the eWare Project in Supporting Older People and Their Informal Caregivers

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe the results collected with the Italian study conducted within eWare project, aimed at supporting the autonomy and health of the older people affected by dementia and their informal caregivers, through the use of an innovative system based on a social robot and a sensorized environmental infrastructure. Nine dyads of older participants with their caregivers were enrolled in testing the system for 6 months. The results show a positive impact of the system in supporting the achievement of personal goals of the participants, as well as in supporting the quality of life of the informal caregivers. Nevertheless, the impact of the system in reducing the caregivers’ burden needs to be deeply investigated. This research highlights the potential of the eWare system but modifications will have to be made, especially on the interactivity capabilities, in order to meet the peculiar needs and wishes of older people with dementia and to favor the long-term use of the system.

Impact of digital assistive technologies on the quality of life for people with dementia: a scoping review

“…From 50 of the included studies, the following were used to promote autonomy: patient monitoring,19–44 care support30 45 and digital therapeutics 8 21–23 25–31 33 35 37 40 41 44–65…”

“…DATs support PWD in maintaining or regaining their ability to perform ADL such as meal preparation, managing medication or communication. Forty-five of the included studies highlight this field’s broad spectrum of possibilities, for instance, they range from the implementation of interventions from the patient monitoring category,20 24 26 29 31 33 34 40 43 care support,30 45 to digital therapeutics 8 22 25 26 28–31 33 35 37 40 45–53 55–63 65 86 94 97 103 107 115–119…”

“…In contrast to autonomy, dignity refers to the ability to preserve self-respect and personhood, while being recognised and valued in society, and discussed in 13 studies using diverse DAT categories: digital therapeutics21 25 35 41 and patient monitoring 8 21 22 25 35 41 56 58 62 77 78 81 108. These categories are specifically designed to uphold and promote ageing in place, as demonstrated in the review of Gettel et al ,21 by the use of pet robots to maintain the resident’s dignity and self-worth 78…”

Impact of digital assistive technologies on the quality of life for people with dementia: A scoping review

“…In contrast to autonomy, dignity refers to the ability to preserve self-respect and personhood, while being recognized and valued in society, and discussed in 13 studies using diverse DAT categories: digital therapeutics [39], [50], [107], [125] and patient monitoring [25], [39], [50], [80], [82], [85], [91], [102], [107], [110], [118], [125], [129]. These categories are specifically designed to uphold and promote aging in place, as demonstrated in the review of Gettel et al [39], by the use of pet robots to maintain the resident’s dignity and self-worth [102].…”

“…In 18 studies, the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease Scale (QOL-AD) was utilized [25], [28], [30], [41], [43], [44], [52], [62], [65], [67], [70], [73], [85], [90], [91], [125], [130], [136], and in 11 studies the Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia scale (QUALID) [27], [35], [41], [43], [61], [73], [85], [91], [104], [126], [136]. Additionally, the self-reported Dementia Quality of Life measure (DEMQoL) was employed in 4 studies [73], [92], [104], [112], the Dementia Quality of Life Instrument (DQoL) in 3 studies [41], [61], [93], the EQ-5D-5L in 3 studies [99], [104], [110]. Other measuring instruments were used only once in each case: Quality of Life (GQL8) [124], Quality of Life for People with Dementia (QUALIDEM ) [41], Quality of Life Alzheimer’s disease (QoL) scale [98], SF-36 quality of life instrument [103], Cantril QoL ladder [63], Carer-Qol-7D [112], EUROHIS-QoL-8 and EuroQoL 5 Dimension Questionnaire [91].…”