The role of social robots to support elderly people’s mental health : a literature review
Bhandari, Samikshya; Baral Sapkota, Renu (2023)
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023052413881
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023052413881
Tiivistelmä
Mental health problems are an increasing problem among aged populations worldwide. Normal aging processes physiological changes, cognitive changes, and additionally significant changes such face a shift in responsibilities after retirement, and loss of loved ones leaving the elderly vulnerable to social isolation & loneliness provoking a higher risk of mental conditions. Information and Communi-cation Technology holds the potential to make a vital contribution to enhancing mental well-being. ICT covers a wide range of solutions, but authors set limitations to narrow their focus on social robots (SARs). Other ICTs are briefly discussed but they will not form a major part of the discussion.
The thesis aims to discover SARs that contributed to supporting the mental health of the elderly. The qualitative literature review thesis was done with the purpose to increase nurses' knowledge of the use of SARs and contribute to the support of the elderly's mental health. An electronic database search was done in CINAHL &PUBMED considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Through thematic analysis, codes were generated after which 4 major themes were formed: mood enhancer, cognitive assistance, social facilitator & companionship.
Our findings indicated SARs serve as a companion for elderly people, addressing their need for social interaction, and cognitive and emotional support. Social robots can reduce the need for psychotropic medications and improve patient outcomes in dementia care. They can also assist with rehabilitation exercises and provide safe mental health care during situations like the COVID-19 pandemic when close contact is a must to be avoided.
The thesis aims to discover SARs that contributed to supporting the mental health of the elderly. The qualitative literature review thesis was done with the purpose to increase nurses' knowledge of the use of SARs and contribute to the support of the elderly's mental health. An electronic database search was done in CINAHL &PUBMED considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Through thematic analysis, codes were generated after which 4 major themes were formed: mood enhancer, cognitive assistance, social facilitator & companionship.
Our findings indicated SARs serve as a companion for elderly people, addressing their need for social interaction, and cognitive and emotional support. Social robots can reduce the need for psychotropic medications and improve patient outcomes in dementia care. They can also assist with rehabilitation exercises and provide safe mental health care during situations like the COVID-19 pandemic when close contact is a must to be avoided.