Robotic Bubble Baths for Japan's Elderly

LukePieStalker writes "New York Times (open kimono before entering) is carrying an article on various robots that are being used in assisted living situations. In addition to mentioning the Wakamaru, the story has illustrations of a human washing machine and a description of robotic pants that help those with mobility problems. Apparently, the devices are considered the better choice in a country that is not inclined to grant working visas to foreigners. As Japan's population shrinks, will the robot population make up the difference?"

Comments

Loneliness

[dtio]

Loneliness is the 1st problem for the senior citizens here in Europe. We don't need robots to assist them we need human beings to keep them company. I thinkt hat being surrounded by machines is even more depressing than being all alone, I'd feel totally worthless if I was given to a robot to take care of me.

We need to humanize the problem of the increasing elder population and stop talking about 'technical' solutions.

Loneliness can kill.

Re:Loneliness

[FePe]

We don't need robots to assist them we need human beings to keep them company.

I agree on that, but I also know of several workers at nursing homes saying that the elderly is annoyed with them. They don't want them to bath them and take care of them, and if the elderly likes to be taken care of by robots or machines or whatever, then maybe it's an okay solution. Elderly not at nursing homes on the other hand want human contacts and not machines to take care of them.

And I think too it has gone to far with all these technical solutions. We are humans afterall.

Re:Loneliness

[vidarh]

If it's being used to get rid of people to care for elderly people, then perhaps it would be bad. But if it is used to reduce the time elderly people have to rely on what for many is relatively humiliating assistance and instead give the people caring for them time to spend time with them it would be an improvement.

Technical solutions ARE relevant. I doubt needing to get help from someone to wash myself would be my preferred form of social contact if I was old.

But it is a tool - not a solution in itself

my parents run a retirement home

[Suchetha]

in Sri Lanka, and something like this would be very helpful for us. would save the problems you get with having to help people bathe themselves. all you have to do is lead them to the unit and help them in.. the machine does the rest.

this would save in time and labour as well as being more comfortable for the person being washed than having a human do it for them. it IS a pride thing, but people prefer to be helped into something like this than have the "stigma" of being so helpless that they need some one to wash them.