Research of robot-assisted activity for the elderly with senile dementia in a group home

The paper reports on a trial of robot-assisted activity (RAA) for elderly people with senile dementia. Study subjects were eight elderly residents (68-89 year old) with senile dementia in a group home. The session was considered of approximately thirty minutes with the pet-type robot AIBO. Outcome was measured by comparison of pre- and posts-the session scores of N-dementia scale, MMSE (mini mental state examination) scale, and a behavior scale specially proved for this study. Also, by the observation of their speech, for words, length, and substance and so on, we compared the session with every session. Through these activities, some of psychological or behavioral problems such as communication with the personal organization or staff were improved. The result indicates that robot-assisted activity is useful to improve activities and emotional state of elderly people with dementia. Moreover, the activities are useful to for smoothing communication with staff in a group home and establish friendly relations with occupants.