Socially assistive robots in dementia care – knowledge, attitudes and expectations of informal caregivers, nurses and dementia trainers

Dementia is a very burdensome disease, which not only challenges those affected but also causes burden for relatives and professional caregivers. New technologies, such as socially assistive robots (SAR), may support caregivers and people with dementia in activities of daily living. To provide optimal support in the future, it is necessary to ask potential users about their views and expectations regarding SAR. This study explores the attitudes, knowledge and expectations among informal caregivers, nurses and dementia trainers towards humanoid SAR in the care of people with dementia. Using a qualitative approach, a total of 11 homogeneous focus groups were conducted with informal caregivers, nurses and dementia trainers who care for people with dementia at home, in day-care centers or in nursing homes. A qualitative content analysis using a concept- and data-driven coding frame was performed to analyze the data. 52 participants took part in the focus group discussions. Most participants did not know anything about SAR and had mixed feelings about SAR in dementia care, but the majority of participants would like to test one in practice. Participants saw potential for support by SAR in all activities of daily living, especially in the areas of avoiding danger (e.g., recognizing danger), communication/contact with others (e.g., supporting telephone calls), daily activities (e.g., appointment reminders), recreational activities (e.g., playing music) and eating/drinking (e.g., giving menu suggestions). While participants expressed, in general, mixed feelings about SAR in dementia care, most of them saw great potential for assistance by SAR in activities of daily living and would like to test a SAR in practice. The results can considerably contribute to designing SAR according to the needs of potential users so that SAR may provide optimal support and reduce caregiver burden.