Which activities threaten independent living of elderly when becoming problematic: inspiration for meaningful service robot functionality

Abstract

Purpose: In light of the increasing elderly population and the growing demand for home care, the potential of robot support is given increasing attention. In this paper, an inventory of activities was made that threaten independent living of elderly when becoming problematic. Results will guide the further development of an existing service robot, the Care-O-bot®. Method: A systematic literature search of PubMed was performed, focused on the risk factors for institutionalization. Additionally, focus group sessions were conducted in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and France. In these focus group sessions, problematic activities threatening the independence of elderly people were discussed. Three separate target groups were included in the focus group sessions: (1) elderly persons (n = 41), (2) formal caregivers (n = 40) and (3) informal caregivers (n = 32). Results: Activities within the International Classification of Functioning domains mobility, self-care, and interpersonal interaction and relationships were found to be the most problematic. Conclusions: A distinct set of daily activities was identified that may threaten independent living, but no single activity could be selected as the main activity causing a loss of independence as it is often a combination of problematic activities that is person-specific. Supporting the problematic activities need not involve a robotic solution.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Design of assistive robotics for the elderly.

• Potential of assistive robotics for the elderly.

• State of the art of assistive robotics.

• Aging in place
• elderly care
• risk factors for institutionalization
• robotics

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to colleagues in the ACCOMPANY consortium (The University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom; Hogeschool Zuyd, The Netherlands; Fraunhofer, Germany; University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; University of Sienna, Italy; Maintien en Autonomie �omicile des Personnes Agées, France; and University of Birmingham, United Kingdom; University of Twente, the Netherlands; University of Warwick, United Kingdom). We are also grateful to the focus group participants that agreed to take part in our study (written consent was obtained from all participants) and provide the contrasting views used in this text. Possible inaccuracies of information are under the responsibility of the project team. The text reflects solely the views of its authors. The European Commission is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.