Use of Socially Assistive Robots for Long Term Care Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment and Apathy

Impact of a Novel Socially Assistive Robotic Architecture on Engaging Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia in Long Term Care Settings

The objective of this study is to demonstrate the impact of a socially assistive robot system on reducing apathy among cognitively impaired older adults residing in long term care facilities. Earlier phases of this project demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the robotic system. First, investigators will improve the social robotic interaction architecture through additional software development, enhance its versatility, and make it easy for non-experts to run. Second, 188 participants will be randomized to either usual activity programs at the long term care facility, or the usual activity programs plus the robotic activities. Researchers will examine the effect on apathy and also plan on examining underlying individual and facility factors that influence the impact of the robotic activities.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Residing >3 months in long term care facility
• Evidence of mild cognitive impairment (SAGE score 15-16), mild dementia (SAGE score <15, AD8<2, DSRD<19), or moderate dementia (SAGE <15, AD8>1, DSRD 19-36)
• Symptoms of apathy (Score 30+ on AES-C)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe cognitive impairment
• Physically unable to participate
• Unable to provide assent
• Uncorrected vision or hearing
• Never spoke English
• Unable to sit comfortably in chair
• Acutely ill, terminally ill or unresponsive
• Unable to be moved to activity location
• Aggressive or combative