JABA’s robotic pets, Goldie the Dog and Fuzzy the Cat

There's established research that links animal-assisted therapy to improvements in mood and the quality of life for seniors, including those with dementia, but a growing amount of research is showing that robotic pets also provide the same kind of therapy. The results of a review of several studies of Pet robot intervention (PRI) showed "a statistically significant decrease in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), especially agitation and depression, in people with dementia who were treated with PRI." So, embracing this brave new world, JABA welcomed Goldie the Dog and Fuzzy the Cat at our Charlottesville Adult Care Center. The robotic pets were generously donated by our friends at VATS (Virginia Assistive Technology System) and The Department of Aging Rehabilitative Services.

"We have been pleased with the positive outcome of this intervention so far," says Kelly Langan, JABA's Adult Care Center Activities Coordinator," and are so appreciative for the opportunity to try new and innovative ideas with our members."

And it's not just about helping those with dementia. It's also about dealing with the problem of loneliness and isolation among older people. Using robotic pets is a growing trend at agencies on aging across the country - in April, 2020, a few weeks after New York aging departments shut down their adult day programs and communal dining sites, the state placed a bulk order for more than a thousand robot cats and dogs. The pets went so quickly that caseworkers started asking for more - and companies are investing more and more into developing robotic companions, a development that raises all sorts of interesting questions about human/machine relationships and the future of caregiving for the elderly, especially in a country where almost thirty percent of Americans over sixty-five, mostly women, live alone.