When I first read this headline, I wasn't sure what type of robot could comfort dementia patients. Would it be a robot similar to Rosie from the Jetsons and provide comfort by completing household chores or would it be some sort of robot that helped them remember people and things they otherwise could not have? I was wrong with both my guesses, the robot they are using at a retirement community in McLean, Virginia, is a furry seal that resembles a stuffed animal. The "robot" makes cooing noises when petted and can even talk to patients. I think this is a great idea since dementia patients often suffer from psychiatric disturbances and if this works as a way to calm them down or shift their moods, then I think it's great. It doesn't matter that they may think it is a real creature because even patients who know it's man-made don't seem to care. I'm glad this facility in McLean has five of the "robots" to help the dementia patients who live there.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/01/AR2008100101054.html?nav=hcmoduletmv
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On a more personal note, my grandma has dementia, so your blog is especially interesting to me...maybe this would help her? And yes, it's sad to see my grandma sometimes, as she suffers from psychiatric disturbances every once in awhile. If they're already making "mock seals," I'm wondering what's going to come next. Will they make "mock dogs," so no one will have the need to buy a real, live dog anymore. It's amazing what we can already do with technology. Maybe they'll have a robot similar to Rosie from the Jetsons in a few years - who knows!
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