One of the topics that keeps recurring in the world of senior care is the concept of robots being used more and more frequently in care homes. This happens with a bit more regularity in Eastern nations than what we see here in the U.S., but even that is quite rare. However, as technology advances and as computers can do more and more to help us, the topic keeps growing in popularity.
Robots do a lot. They can detect dangerous situations and help alleviate them. These are not humanoid robots. They can be, and likely will be in the future, but they are mainly machines designed to interact with the environment around them.
There are ethical concerns when it comes to robots assisting with senior care. One of the great benefits of senior care is that it provides the elderly with a greater degree of human interaction. Robots, although they can provide assistance in some areas, cannot ever accomplish this. If robots are used to supplement care, that’s one thing. But if they are used in a way that helps reduce costs–which is much more likely to occur–then this ethical dilemma is likely to be one that needs to be acknowledged. Robots cannot provide human interaction, and they will never be able to no matter how advanced they become in the future. People are social and need to be with others. When it comes to senior care, this is a need that must be given special attention, not reduced.
There are safety concerns, too. Have you ever had a sensor go bad in your car? A couple weeks ago, the sensor in the gas pedal on my car went bad and my car suddenly could not go above 30 miles per hour. I drove it on back roads to the dealership, where a 15 minute repair got it back up and running fine. However, it was a very small technical issue that caused the car to completely change how it operated. Something of this nature may be detrimental to the health and safety of a senior. One bad sensor or mistake and someone’s life could be permanently altered.
Senior care should focus on meeting the needs of the elderly. There are ways that robots can be used to do this effectively. There are even benefits to using robots. However, there are also drawbacks. In the future, this is likely to be an issue that families will need to pay attention to as they help family members find their ideal type of care.
Finding the right care is important. When you do, you can be assured that your older loved one is in good hands and being provided for in as complete of a manner as possible. That’s what we pride ourselves in. Our trained caregivers don’t just help your loved one with mess and meals. They provide companionship.
Please get in touch if you would like to learn more about in-home care. We would love to sit with you and answer any of your questions or address any concerns you might have about the care process. We look forward to hearing from you.
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