Advances in medicine have extended human lifespans. It is estimated that by 2030, one in six people worldwide will be over the age of 60. This rapid growth in the aging population means that more elderly people will need care. Family members and professional caregivers may not be able to meet this increased demand. Furthermore, severe workforce shortages, including nurses, have been reported in several developed countries, highlighting the need for additional strategies to address the needs of older populations.
Simple and effective technologies, such as robots, can help bridge this gap and provide older adults with the care they need to age comfortably at home. However, despite their great potential, social acceptance of home care assistance robots in an aging society remains problematic. Additionally, cultural, ethical, and financial differences pose challenges to developing robots that can meet the unique needs of older people in each country who require long-term care, hindering their widespread adoption. .
In a new study, researchers at Chiba University in Japan aimed to uncover the factors that influence users' willingness to use home care robots. Previous research has shown that public participation in research has a positive impact on study design and patient participation. Based on this, researchers considered a user-centered approach to involve potential users in the research and development process of home care robots. This approach takes into account the real-world expectations and problems that users face.
Giving further insight into their study, published in Scientific Reports on November 12, 2024, Professor Sayuri Suwa, corresponding author of the paper, said: To achieve “proper aging”. Each country has its own history, culture, and legal system, so we wanted to clarify how home care robots can be developed and implemented in a way that respects these differences. ” This study was actively co-authored by Dr. Hiroo Ide of the Future Vision Research Center, University of Tokyo. Yumi Akutada, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Health University. Dr. Naonori Kodate, University College Dublin, UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice. Dr. Jaakko Hallila from Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. and Dr. Wenwei Yu of Chiba University Frontier Medical Engineering Center.
The research team conducted a questionnaire-based survey of care recipients and caregivers across Japan, Ireland, and Finland. The questionnaire evaluated the user's intention to use the robot using 48 items: “familiarity with robots,'' “points to note when using home care robots,'' “expected functions of home care robots,'' and “ethically acceptable uses.'' Researchers analyzed the responses of 525 Japanese, 163 Irish, and 170 Finnish participants for common and individual factors that influence their willingness to use a robot.
As a result of the analysis, the common elements among respondents from the three countries were “willingness to participate in research and development,'' “interest in robot-related news,'' and “favorability toward robots.'' On the other hand, “convenience'' is a clear factor influencing the use of robots in Japan, “notifying family members and supporters in the event of unexpected changes in the elderly'' in Ireland, and “design'' in Finland. It turns out that there is something.
Additionally, this study reveals how each country's historical, cultural, and demographic variables influence the adoption of home care robots. In Japan, the development of robots is encouraged by government, industry, and academia, and there is overall optimism for its applications. Although Ireland is somewhat behind in the development of robots, the use of robots for older people is increasingly being recognized, and artificial intelligence and robotics are being applied in healthcare and social care. The Finnish respondents' choice of “design'' is consistent with Finnish design, which is widely known worldwide, suggesting its importance in robot manufacturing.
Overall, this study highlights the importance of user participation and user perspective in the development of home care technologies. Home care robots have great potential to empower the elderly. “Developing home care robots in collaboration with potential users, such as older adults and care providers, will drive product acceptance in the future. This will help validate home care products under development. “Ultimately, this will lead to improved user well-being,” concludes Professor Suwa.
With the right combination of innovation, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity, home care robots could soon turn the dream of “aging in place” into a global reality.
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Reference magazines:
Hiroshi Ide et al. (2024). A comparative study to elucidate the factors explaining the willingness to use home care robots in Japan, Ireland, and Finland. scientific report. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-79414-y.
