The University of Toronto recently announced that they were going to be launching a center focused on the advancement of robotics within the realm of senior care. It will be a part of the U of T Robotics Institute, but this particular center will be focused solely on how robotics can help improve senior care. It will be a joint partnership with the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, which is based out of China.
At first glance, it might seem foolish for those in the senior care field to be concerned about high tech industries like robotics. The truth is, these seemingly disparate fields might have a lot more in common than what might first appear on the surface. Technology has already helped senior care to become more efficient and cheaper. Think about telehealth as a recent example of this. Rather than leave the home to go to a doctor, seniors can oftentimes use video chat and simple equipment at home to convey important information to a doctor. This helps seniors to stay safer and save money.
Ultimately, the goal of senior care is to help elderly folks in need. If robotics can help accomplish this to a higher degree than what is currently happening, then robotics should have a solid place in the world of elder care. One of the stated goals of this collaboration is that researchers want to help speed up the rate at which senior care technology is advanced. As the world’s population gets older, having safeguards in place to help improve the quality of life that seniors experience is important. The faster these technological breakthroughs are made, the better off our older loved ones will be.
This new project is designed to help fill in some of the gaps that are being observed between what seniors need and where they currently are. Robotics have a lot to offer.
As a final note, it should be acknowledged that even the most high tech advancements in robotics will not be a replacement for human interaction. While robotics can undoubtedly do a lot to help seniors live better lives, they can’t provide companionship. This is a trait limited solely to humans. In-home care and the personal touch of a human caregiver can never be fully replaced. The job can only be made easier through robotics, not taken away.
Either way, we are here for you. We can be a great resource of information, both through our website and our in-person help. We have a huge library of senior care resources here for you to search through as a starter, but we also offer free in-person consultations to help you answer your more personalized questions and concerns. Each situation is different, and our goal is not to give you cookie cutter advice, but directly address your cares and concerns.
Get in touch with us to schedule your appointment. We can even meet with you remotely through video chat if this is something more in keeping with your current needs. You can find our number and email info right here on the website.
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