Assessment of Social Robotics for the Enhancement of Cognitive and Physical Functioning in Older Adults

In the field of elder care, many countries are facing a shortage of nursing staff, which presents a significant challenge that necessitates innovative solutions to support older individuals in nursing homes. This article explores a use case involving the Cruzr robot, designed to engage the cognitive and physical abilities of older adults. We present the results of a usability study demonstrating that the Cruzr is capable of motivating and entertaining older individuals; however, it also reveals significant shortcomings. Notably, the challenges associated with integrating social robotics are often underestimated. Based on our findings, we conclude that social robotics, in its current form, does not effectively address the issue of workforce shortages in elder care. On the contrary, it may even exacerbate the problem by introducing additional burdens.