How AI and robots provide companionship for people with Alzheimer’s

In Paris, elderly patients at Broca Hospital are participating in experiments involving various robots. The NAO robot engages patients in conversation and cognitive exercises by presenting them with familiar proverbs. Another device, Paro, is a robotic seal that responds to patients' movements and sounds, providing therapeutic comfort. Miroki, a robot designed for conversation, offers an unfamiliar but not unsettling experience for 72-year-old Michele, who prefers human contact.

The reactions to these technologies vary, with some patients amazed by the robots' capabilities and others rejecting them. Researchers at Broca Living Lab are investigating whether these machines can help patients engage in different forms of therapy. Maribel Pino, a cognitive psychology researcher, explains that robots can act as facilitators in therapy sessions, helping patients interact more effectively.

In southern France, a different experiment is underway at La Septfontoise care home using AI technology. Livana, an AI system, supports agitated residents through personalized conversations. Staff gathered biographical information about the residents, including their interests and life stories, to tailor the system's voice and content.

Elodie Jammes, a psychologist, notes that the system can soothe residents based on their personalized information, providing a non-drug approach to managing agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s or other neurodegenerative conditions.

Ghislaine Verines, director of La Septfontoise, sees the technology as a supplementary support for residents and staff, aiming to improve wellbeing while offering additional assistance to care staff. However, Pino cautions that robotics should not be viewed as a replacement for human interaction. "They are still tools, however sophisticated their conversational abilities or presence may become," she says. "Technology cannot replace the essential human relationships that people need."