Robots in elder care: what they do and don't do

The short answer

Care robots are machines built to help older or disabled people with daily living: moving from bed to chair, bathing and toileting, medication reminders, and companionship. With the population aging and caregivers in short supply, they're showing up in nursing homes and living rooms. Some are helpful. Some are adorable. A few are both.

Meet the staff

Lifting and transfer aids that spare the backs of residents and staff. Toileting and bathing assistance devices, such as automated bidet and hygiene systems (Gerald's real-world cousins). Social or companion robots, like PARO, a therapeutic robot seal studied in people with dementia. Reminder and check-in devices and tablets that, unlike some relatives, actually wait for your answer.

The case for them

Privacy and dignity for intimate tasks (the whole point of The Robot Who Wipes My Butt: shame doesn't transfer to a machine), fewer back injuries for caregivers, more independence at home, and comfort for some people living with dementia or loneliness.

The fine print

Cost, reliability and safety; privacy of all those sensors and cameras; consent from people with cognitive impairment; and the risk that families or facilities use a machine to replace human contact instead of support it. A robot that helps you bathe is a mercy. A robot that replaces your family's visits is an abandonment with good UX.