Love comes in many forms, and this Valentine's Day, a senior housing provider is giving seniors who are feeling lonely a robotic pet companion.
Bronx-based RiverSpring Living is identifying New York seniors in need of a Valentine's Day boost as part of its ongoing Mechanical Pets program. The provider has gifted 40 robot pets to date, most recently to Ruth Mensch, a 90-year-old woman who received a robotic golden retriever puppy last month, the company announced.
Seniors who lost genuine Pets are often hit especially hard because they can often be a person's “primary source of routine, motivation, and purpose,” according to one counseling website.
Pets are allowed in many senior communities, but robotic companions, whether they appear as pets, humans, or talking lamps, could be more widely accepted to help address loneliness among seniors. This could open up new opportunities in long-term care for patients.
River Springs officials said social isolation has increased since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. New research has revealed a link between loneliness and a person's overall health.
RiverSpring's Robopet program is designed to help members cope with loneliness and isolation without having to care for a live pet.
“Robopets have a nurturing, healing and therapeutic effect,” Patti Fron, RiverSpring's vice president of member services, said in a statement. “This is a great way to bring joy to our members and really demonstrates the dedication and attention to detail that our nurse care managers provide.”
The robot dog can bark, stretch and change position when touched or petted, Riverspring noted.
While the robot pet Georgina isn't a replacement for a real dog or human companion, it does remind users of dogs they've had in the past, in a positive way, said Ellen Mensch, whose daughter recently received one. Mr. McKnight.
“It just makes her smile,” Mensch said Monday. “When Georgina barks or turns her head, she laughs. It's just a small surprise. The dog is just one component of many [of Ruth Mensch’s social life] But it's a powerful element. ”
The New York-based organization isn't the only one working on distributing robot pets. The New York State Department on Aging launched an animatronic pet program several years ago for seniors living in the state's more isolated northern counties. Other states, including Florida, also have robotic pet programs for seniors.
RiverSpring Living has won several awards mac knights Last year's Tech Awards introduced a number of innovations to senior living communities, including virtual reality programs. mac knights It was reported last summer.
